Snow plow having reversible wings

ABSTRACT

An improved apex snow plow having reversible wings is disclosed in which each wing frame is constructed to be used on either side of the snow plow to eliminate the need for two separately designed and constructed snow plow wings. The reversible wings are easily secured to the center portion of the snow plow and are removable to facilitate replacement. The reversible wings of the snow plow of the present invention can be arranged into any desired configuration via a hydraulic system positioned near the bottom of each wing, thereby allowing each wing to be lighter than and more effective than conventional apex snow plow blade designs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to snow plows typically usedwith light and medium duty trucks, and particularly to an improvedV-shaped snow plow having reversible wings.

Once the exclusive domain of municipality-operated heavy trucks, snowplows have been used with light and medium duty trucks for decades. Aswould be expected in any area of technology which has been developed forthat period of time, snow plows for light and medium duty trucks haveundergone tremendous improvement in a wide variety of ways over time,evolving to increase both the usefulness of the snow plows as well as toenhance the ease of using them. The business of manufacturing snow plowsfor light and medium duty trucks has been highly competitive, withmanufacturers of competing snow plows differentiating themselves basedon the features and enhanced technology that they design into theirproducts.

One of the most important design features of a snow plow is the type ofblade or moldboard used to plow the snow. The first type of snow plowdesign includes a straight, single snow plow blade that is not hinged orV-shaped. These types of blades can be operated in a straight positionor can be pivoted left or right about a central axis to push snow toeither side of the vehicle. The second type of snow plow design includesa hinged or pivotable snow plow blade. A hinged snow plow blade containstwo wings or arms that are hinged about a central axis in order topermit several different blade configurations.

A hinged plow blade or moldboard (sometimes referred to as an “apextype” plow blade, “articulated plow blade” or a “V-plow” because thehinge is at the apex of the V formed when the arms or wings of the ploware in a swept back position) allows the operator of the vehicle agreater mechanical advantage since the plow moldboard, with its wings inthe swept back V-shaped position, will act like a wedge into the snow.Each wing of the snow plow blade acts like an inclined plane depositingthe snow to either side of the vehicle. In addition, the wings of aV-plow can be individually positioned into any configuration—allowingthe snow to be pushed to either side of the snow plow.

A plow with a straight blade or moldboard also has difficulty in pushinga mound of snow to an out of the way location. For example, with astraight moldboard, snow spills out the sides of the plow while a hingedplow that can be articulated about a central axis can have its wings orarms swept forward to form a V-shaped scoop between the moveablewings/arms of the moldboard. This swept forward position allows forbetter containment of the snow so that the snow may be moved out of theway without significant spillage.

However, there are several disadvantages to conventional hinged snowplow designs. First, hinged snow plow designs include two distinctmoldboard wing sections with each section specifically designed to belocated on a particular side of the snow plow (i.e. there is a rightside wing section and a left side wing section). Thus, each wing sectionof the snow plow must be separately designed and manufactured,increasing the overall cost of the wing sections and decreasingefficiency of production of the wing sections. Further, wing replacementand on-hand part storage is more difficult with conventional hinge snowplow designs because the plow owner must retain both a right and a leftside wing replacement—resulting in increased cost and storagerequirements for the plow owner.

Further, many hinged snow plow blades contain wings that are hingedtogether at a single center hinge, causing the plow vehicle and the plowblade to undergo significant stress if the plow blade encounters rocks,manhole covers, curbs or other objects. A single hinge construction caneasily damage the snow plow wings/moldboard if the plow hits suchobjects—rendering replacement of the wings and center section of theplow expensive and time consuming.

Even where alternative constructions are utilized, hinged plows aregenerally not able to trip effectively when a curb or another object isencountered by the plow blade—especially when the plow's wings are inthe V-shaped (swept back) or inverted V-shaped (swept forward)positions. Thus, when objects are hit, the snow plow blade is unable toeffectively move, causing damage to the blade as well significant strainon the snow plow vehicle. In conventional constructions, even where theblade is designed to move when an object is encountered, the blade tripswith a jerking or forceful effect and returns to plowing position in asimilar manner causing significant strain on the snow plow vehicle.

In addition, snow plow blade designs typically include hydraulic systemsfor moving the blade/wings into position. In conventional snow plowdesigns, these systems are located near the middle or upper portions ofthe wing section, away from the ground to provide maximum leverage andforce for movement and retention of the plow blade into position.However, such a location for the hydraulic system, requires extra forceto move the wings, lending to the use of larger and heavier hydrauliccylinders/systems. In addition, this type of configuration requires aheavier snow plow blade in order to keep the blade/scrapers of the snowplow in contact with the road surface in order to effectively removesnow. Clearly, additional weight or mass of the snow plow adverselyaffects fuel economy, handling of the snow plow and the useful life ofthe snow plow vehicle.

It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention that itprovide a snow plow having reversible wings that are hinged about acenter section, wherein the reversible snow plow wing of the presentinvention may be easily positioned on either side of the snow plow'scenter section, eliminating the need for two separately designed andmanufactured wing sections. It is a related object of the presentinvention to provide a reversible snow plow wing that is easilypositioned on to and removed from the center section of the snow plowblade, wherein the reversible snow plow wing can be removed from oneside and rotated 180 degrees for use on the other side of the snowplow's center section. It is a further object of the present inventionto provide a snow plow having wings positionable in a variety ofconfigurations for the effective removal of snow.

It is a further objective to provide a snow plow having reversible wingsincluding a trip spring and dampening cushion design in which the snowplow wings and center section are permitted to tip forward when the plowencounters an object and return back into position in a controlledmanner without significant stress on the mechanical structure of thesnow plow or the snow plow vehicle.

In addition, it can be another objective of the present invention toprovide a lighter weight snow plow system in which the hydraulic systemutilized in positioning the reversible wings of the present invention isconfigured in a manner that increases the force and stability of thesnow plow blade when in contact with heavy snow, and which requires alighter hydraulic system. It is a related objective of the presentinvention to provide snow plow wings, and hence, a lighter snow plowblade that can effectively remove snow and that is less expensive toproduce, easier to transport and that causes less mechanical stress onthe snow plow vehicle than other conventional snow plow bladeconfigurations.

The snow plow of the present invention must also be of constructionwhich is both durable and long lasting, and it should also requirelittle or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout itsoperating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the snowplow of the present invention, it should also be of inexpensiveconstruction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally,it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages andobjectives of the snow plow having reversible wings of the presentinvention be achieved without incurring any substantial relativedisadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed aboveare overcome by the present invention. With this invention, a snow plowhaving reversible wings is presented. It will be at once appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the reversible wing design andconfiguration of the snow plow of the present invention not onlyprovides a lighter, more effective snow plow than conventional hingedsnow plow designs, but also provides a snow plow blade having reducedmanufacturing costs compared to other, conventional snow plow bladedesigns.

The snow plow of the present invention includes a snow plow bladeassembly, an intermediate frame section, a main frame section, andadditionally includes hitch pieces for mounting the snow plow onto thesnow plow vehicle. The hinged snow plow blade assembly includes tworeversible wings or arms and a center section. The reversible wing ofthe present invention has opposing vertical sides, with one side hingedto the center section and the opposite side extending away from thecenter section of the snow plow blade. Like typical plow bladeconstructions, the reversible wing is slightly curved or arcuate-shapedwhen viewed from either side, similar to that of a snow shovel.

The reversible wing of the present invention includes a generallyrectangular-shaped frame having a top horizontal member, a bottomhorizontal member, a first vertical side portion that is pivotallyconnected to the center section of the snow plow blade and a secondvertical side portion that extends away from the center section of thesnow plow blade. The reversible wing is symmetrical about an axisextending from the first vertical side portion to the second verticalside portion, such that top and bottom halves of the reversible wing ofthe present invention are mirror images of each other.

The top horizontal member of the frame of the reversible wing is a threesided U-shaped channel member having a wide channel bottom and sideedges/legs of the “U” extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Whenconfigured as part of the frame, the top horizontal member will beupright i.e., U-shaped with the side edges/legs of the “U” pointing up).The side edge of the U-shaped channel member that will be orientatedtowards the front of the snow plow when assembled in the wing frame isthe front side edge of the channel member, and the side edge of thechannel member that will be orientated towards the snow plowvehicle/rear of the snow plow blade when assembled in the wing frame isthe rear side edge of the channel member.

The top horizontal member contains four sets of apertures for addingadditional components to the wing frame. The first and second sets ofapertures are located in a spaced-apart fashion along both side edges ofthe U-shaped channel member. The apertures are located at substantiallyparallel locations, across from each other, and are spaced-apart alongthe length of each side edge of the channel member. The first and secondsets of apertures can be used to secure the plow blade moldboard, a plowwearstrip, and/or a rear scraper on to the wing frame.

The third set of apertures is formed within the channel bottom of thetop horizontal member near the middle of the horizontal member. Thethird set of apertures is used to secure the mounting hardware for ahydraulic, pneumatic or other movement system to the wing frame formoving the wing into different positions. The fourth set of apertures isprovided near the outer end of the top horizontal member and can be usedto secure mounting hardware for a shoe or support device that willultimately bear the weight of the snow plow blade during use of the snowplow.

The bottom horizontal member of the wing frame of the present inventionis also a U-shaped channel member and is the mirror image of the tophorizontal member. Accordingly, when configured as part of the frame,the bottom horizontal member will be inverted “U” i.e., with the sideedges/legs of the “U” extending downwardly. In addition, the bottomhorizontal member contains four set of apertures having substantiallysymmetrical or mirror image placement on the U-shaped channel member asthe top horizontal member. It will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art that the symmetry of the apertures on the top and bottomhorizontal members permit the wing of the present invention to bereversible, i.e. to be rotated 180 degrees, with the top horizontalmember being located in the position of the bottom horizontal member andvice versa, while permitting the wing components (such as the moldboard,wearstrip, support shoe, and cylinder hardware) to be mounted in theproper location on the wing frame.

The top horizontal member and the bottom horizontal member are joined attheir respective outer ends by a vertical end rib, located at the secondvertical side portion of the frame. The end rib is mounted to andoverlies each of the ends of top horizontal member and the bottomhorizontal member and has an arcuate shape when viewed from the side,providing the reversible wing with its overall shape. A curved faceplate is located adjacent to the end rib and is mounted to the top andbottom horizontal members near the front side edges, respectively, toadd additional support to the wing frame.

The top horizontal member and the bottom horizontal member are joined attheir respective inner ends by a rectangular-shaped wing support memberthat extends from the front side edges of the top to the bottomhorizontal members, respectively, to the rear side edges of the top tothe bottom horizontal members—adding substantial strength to the wingframe. A vertical rib is mounted adjacent to the wing support member andextends from the top to the bottom horizontal member. A curved faceplate is located adjacent to the vertical rib and is mounted to the topand bottom horizontal members near the front side edges, respectively,to add additional support to the inner vertical side of the wing frame.

A plurality of hollow tubular hinge pieces are welded to the wingsupport member along a side thereof to permit the first vertical portionof the reversible wing to be hinged to the center section of the snowplow blade. An L-shaped blade stop that extends from the top horizontalmember to the bottom horizontal member is also joined to the wingsupport member along the side thereof, to provide a limit to the pivotmovement of the wing.

Completing the wing frame is an additional vertical rib that ispositioned between the outer and inner vertical ends of the wing frame.The vertical rib is joined at its top and bottom to the top and bottomhorizontal members, respectively, to add support to the mid-section ofthe wing frame.

As previously described, complete assembly of the reversible wing of thepresent invention includes securing several additional components to thewing frame. For example, a skin or moldboard is mounted to the wingframe using retainer members and the apertures formed on the front sideof the top and bottom horizontal members. In addition, the snow plowwearstrip, having approximately the same length as the top and bottomhorizontal members, is removably bolted on to the bottom horizontalmember at the front side edge thereof using the apertures providedtherein. Optionally, a rear scraper blade having approximately the samelength as the top and bottom horizontal members can be removably boltedon to the bottom horizontal member at the rear side edge thereof usingthe apertures provided therein.

The assembled wing also includes mounting hardware for retaining ahydraulic cylinder or other mechanism used for moving the snow plow winginto the desired position. The mounting hardware is removably attachedto the bottom horizontal member of the wing frame using the third set ofapertures formed therein.

Finally, the assembled reversible wing of the present invention alsoincludes a support shoe for supporting the weight of the wing during useof the snow plow. The support shoe is removably mounted to the bottomhorizontal member of the wing frame using the fourth set of aperturesformed therein.

As described above, the frame of the reversible wing of the presentinvention is symmetrical about a horizontal axis at approximately themidpoint of the first vertical side portion and the second vertical sideportion of the assembled wing frame. In this way, regardless of thecomponents or accessories removably mounted to the wing frame, the wingmay be removed from one side of the center section, rotated 180 degreesand remounted to the opposite side of the center section.

Likewise, the symmetry of the wing frame permits production of a singlewing frame for use in the hinged snow plow of the present invention,rather than requiring two distinct wings to be manufactured—thus,reducing the manufacturing time and cost associated with production of asnow plow and reducing the maintenance time and cost in operating thesnow plow.

The center section of the snow plow blade of the present invention is asubstantially triangular-shaped tower and is oriented within the snowplow blade such that two slanted sides and one edge of the triangletower formed at the intersection thereof project towards the rear of thesnow plow blade and the snow plow vehicle, and with the flat side of thetriangle and the other two edges of the triangle tower facing the frontof the snow plow blade.

The top rear portion of the center section includes a flat plate thatextends outwardly from the rear edge and sides of the triangle tower.The flat plate includes two spring retainer bolts for mounting a tripspring thereto—permitting the center section and wings to tip forward ifthe snow plow blade encounters an object.

The bottom portion of the front side of the center section includesapertures formed therein for mounting a center blade onto the centersection. The two forward edges of the front side of the center sectioncontain a plurality of hollow tubular hinge pieces for pivotallyattaching two snow plow wings to the center section of the snow plow.The tubular hinge pieces are arranged along each of the forward edges ofthe center section in a manner that permits the tubular hinge pieces tocoaxially interfit with the tubular hinge pieces located on each snowplow wing.

The hinged snow plow blade assembly of the present invention isassembled by removably attaching each reversible wing to the center. Afirst wing is pivotally attached at its first vertical side portion tothe center section by interfitting the hollow tubular hinge pieces ofthe wing with the hollow tubular hinge pieces located on one side of thecenter section. The tubular hinge pieces form one elongated tube inwhich a pin may be fit, joining the wing to the center section.Likewise, a second wing is pivotally attached at its first vertical sideportion to the center section by interfitting the hollow tubular hingepieces of the wing with the hollow tubular hinge pieces located on theopposite side of the center section. The tubular hinge pieces form oneelongated tube in which a pin may be fit, joining the wing to the centersection.

The bottom rear portion of the center section includes two mountingbrackets for retaining the end of the hydraulic cylinders which will besecured at the other end to each bottom horizontal member of the wingsof the snow plow. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart that because the location of the cylinder is located at the bottomof the center section and each of the snow plow wings and substantiallyparallel to each of the snow plow wings, the cylinders will be able todeliver a larger, more effective amount of force to the wings providethe wings with greater stability and resistance to heavy load conditionsover other more traditional cylinder positions.

The bottom rear portion of the center section also includes twoapertures that will receive the intermediate frame section of the snowplow. Importantly, the bottom rear portion of the center section furtherincludes a stop plate which will act as a limit to prevent the snow plowblade from tipping beyond a certain point when the snow plow bladeencounters an object.

The intermediate frame section of the present invention is provided withapertures that will receive the opposite ends of the trip springs and acushion which will engage the stop plate of the center section. When thesnow plow blade hits an object, the trip springs permit the top blade totip forward, preventing potential damage to the snow plow. When theobject is no longer an impediment or when the snow plow vehicle backsaway, the cushion and the stop plate prevent the snow plow blade fromforcefully snapping back into position—elevating stress on both the snowplow blade and the snow plow vehicle.

Finally, assembly of the snow plow is completed by mounting the mainframe section onto the intermediate frame section, and using hitchpieces to mount the snow plow onto a snow plow vehicle.

It may therefore be seen that the present invention teaches a snow plowhaving reversible wings wherein the snow plow blade may be moreefficiently and more economically manufactured than other snow plowblade designs. The hinged snow plow blade of the present inventioneliminates the need for wing designs that are specifically intended forthe “right” side or the “left” side of the snow plow.

It may also be seen that the hinged snow plow blade of the presentinvention is provided with a hydraulic system that is located at thevery bottom of each wing of the present invention, in order to moreeffectively transfer force to the snow plow blade, utilizing minimalhydraulic power. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatthis configuration provides the hinged snow plow of the presentinvention a mechanical advantage over hydraulic mechanisms locatedfurther up on the snow plow blade, such that the reversible wing of thepresent invention may be lighter in weight while still retaining thestructural strength and effectiveness of heavier snow plow wings.

The snow plow having reversible wings of the present invention is of aconstruction which is both durable and long lasting, and which willrequire little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughoutits operating lifetime. The snow plow having reversible wings of thepresent invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance itsmarket appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives are achievedwithout incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention are best understoodwith reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wing frame for use in a reversiblewing of a snow plow blade assembly present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wing frame of the reversible wingillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the wing frame of the reversible wingillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 a is an exploded view of the wing frame of the reversible wingillustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, showing the assembly of a moldboardand a wearstrip onto the wing frame as well as various other snow plowblade components;

FIG. 4 b is a partial cross-sectional view of the top of the reversiblewing illustrated in FIG. 4 a, showing how the top of the moldboard isretained by the plow frame;

FIG. 4 c is a partial cross-sectional view of the bottom of thereversible wing illustrated in FIG. 4 a, showing how the bottom of themoldboard is retained by the plow frame;

FIG. 5 is perspective view of the rear side of the reversible wingillustrated in FIGS. 4 a through 4 c;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a center section for use in the snowplow blade assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the center section illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the center section illustrated in FIGS. 6 and7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the center section illustrated in FIGS. 6through 8;

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the center section illustrated in FIGS. 6through 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the center section illustrated in FIGS.6 through 11;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an intermediate section for use in asnow plow frame assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the intermediate section illustrated inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the intermediate section illustratedin FIGS. 12 and 13 taken along the line 14-14;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a front portion of the intermediatesection illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a main frame for use in the snow plowframe assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the main frame illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a right side view of the main frame illustrated in FIGS. 16and 17;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the main frame illustrated in FIGS. 16 and17;

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the main frame illustrated in FIGS. 16 through19;

FIG. 21 is a cross-section view of the main frame illustrated in FIG.16, taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 17, with the intermediate sectionshown in shadow;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pivoting lift bar which will bepivotally mounted at the rear end of the main frame illustrated in FIGS.16 through 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a hitch frame nose piece which will bemounted on a truck under the front bumper thereof;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a bellcrank which is used to operatethe pivoting lift bar illustrated in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a lift link which connects thebellcrank illustrated in FIG. 24 to the pivoting lift bar illustrated inFIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a cutaway view of the various components of the snow plowframe assembled together, showing the hydraulic cylinder used to pivotthe lift bar;

FIG. 27 is a partial view from the top showing the hitch mountingmechanism on one side of the snow plow illustrated in FIG. 26 prior toinstallation;

FIG. 28 is a partial view from the top showing the componentsillustrated in FIG. 27 in a mounted position;

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of the snow plow of the presentinvention, showing the snow plow blade assembly exploded;

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the snow plow of the presentinvention, showing the snow plow blade assembly exploded;

FIG. 31 is a rear perspective view of the assembled snow plow of thepresent invention;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the center section illustrated in FIGS. 6through 11 and the intermediate section illustrated in FIGS. 12 through15, showing the connection thereof;

FIG. 33 is a partial rear view of the assembled center section and theintermediate section illustrated in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional partial side view of the assembled centersection and the intermediate section illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33,taken along the line 34-34 of FIG. 33, showing the center section in itsnormal position;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional partial side view of the assembled centersection and the intermediate section illustrated in FIGS. 32 through 34,taken along the line 34-34, showing the center section in its trippedposition;

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the intermediate section illustrated inFIGS. 12 through 15 and the main frame illustrated in FIGS. 16 through21, showing the connection thereof;

FIG. 37 is a side view of the assembled intermediate section and themain frame illustrated in FIG. 35;

FIG. 38 is a partial cross-sectional view from the front showing thecomponents illustrated in FIGS. 29 through 31 in a mounted position withthe retaining pin inserted;

FIG. 39 is a side view of the snow plow illustrated in FIGS. 29 through31 as the hitch frame nose piece is brought into engagement with amounting pin on the pivoting lift bar;

FIG. 40 is a schematic depiction of the engagement of the mounting pinwith a slot in the hitch frame nose piece;

FIG. 41 is a side view similar to that of FIG. 39, with the pivotinglift bar beginning to pivot to bring the mounting pin into engagementwith the slot in the hitch frame nose piece;

FIG. 42 is a side view similar to that of FIGS. 39 and 41, with thepivoting lift bar pivoted to bring the mounting holes in the pivotinglift bar into alignment with the mounting holes in the hitch frame nosepiece;

FIG. 43 a is a top plan view of the snow plow of the present inventionillustrated with each of the reversible wings in a swept back position;and

FIG. 43 b is a top plan view of the snow plow of the present inventionillustrated with each of the reversible wings in a swept forwardposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The snow plow having reversible wings of the present inventioncomprises, in its simplest form, a snow plow blade assembly 46 includinga center section 48 and reversible wings 50 and 51 removably attached atopposite sides thereto, as best shown in FIG. 29. Accordingly, thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in a seriesof figures, of which FIGS. 1 through 5 are components of the reversiblewing 50. FIGS. 6 through 25 include components of the snow plow of thepresent invention and FIGS. 26 through 43 illustrate the manner in whichthe snow plow having reversible wings is assembled and attached to asnow plow vehicle.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a frame 52 for the reversible wing 50of the present invention is illustrated. The frame 52 has a top portionindicated generally at 54, a bottom portion indicated generally at 56,and substantially parallel vertical side portions indicated generally at58 and 60. The frame 52 also has a front side indicated generally at 62that will face away from the snow plow vehicle when the reversible wing50 is positioned on to a snow plow blade, and a rear side indicatedgenerally at 64 that will face towards the snow plow vehicle when thereversible wing 50 is positioned on to a snow plow blade.

The top portion 54 of the frame 52 includes a top horizontal member 66that is constructed of a three sided channel member resembling a wide“U”, having a channel bottom 68, front and rear legs 70 and 72 whichangle upward and outward from the channel bottom 68 and having first andsecond ends 74 and 76. A notch 78 is cut out of the front leg 70 on thesecond end 76 of the top horizontal member 66 for accommodating a hingemechanism, as will be described below. The top horizontal member 66 ispreferably constructed of steel.

Referring to FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, the top horizontalmember 66 of the frame includes several sets of apertures for securingseveral snow plow components to the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50.A first set of apertures 80 is located on the front leg 70 of the tophorizontal member 66. The apertures 80 are substantially equally spacedin the longitudinal direction along the front leg 70 of the tophorizontal member 66 and are linearly arranged with respect to eachother. Preferably the first set of apertures 80 includes five equallyspaced apertures. Apertures 80 are provided for securing a moldboard (orskin) to the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50, as will be described inmore detail with respect to FIGS. 4 a-4 c and 5.

A second set of apertures 82 is located on the rear leg 72 of the tophorizontal member 66. The apertures 82 are substantially equally spacedin the longitudinal direction along the rear leg 72 of the tophorizontal member 66 are linearly arranged with respect to each other.Preferably the second set of apertures 82 includes five equally spacedapertures. Apertures 82 are provided for securing a rear scraper to theframe 52 of the reversible wing 50 when the is in an inverted position,as will be described in more detail herein.

A third set of apertures 84 is located within the channel bottom 68 ofthe top horizontal member 66. The apertures 84 are located along thechannel bottom 68 at approximately the midpoint of the top horizontalmember 66, slight towards the second end 76 of the top horizontal member66. Preferably, the third set of apertures 84 includes four aperturesarranges substantially in a rectangular arrangement, as illustrated inFIG. 3. Apertures 84 are provided for securing the hardware and/orsupport mechanism for a hydraulic system to the frame 52 of thereversible wing 50 when the snow plow blade is completely assembled, aswill be described in more detail with respect to FIG. 5.

A fourth set of apertures 86 is provided for securing additionalcomponents, such as a shoe support to the frame 52 of the reversiblewing 50, as will be described in more detail with regard to FIG. 5. Thefourth set of apertures is located both within the channel bottom 68 andon the rear leg 72 of the top horizontal member 66.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that first, second,third and fourth sets of apertures 80-86 may contain any number and anysize of apertures required to secure the required snow plow componentsto the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50.

The bottom portion 56 of the frame 52 includes a bottom horizontalmember 88 that is substantially the mirror image of the top horizontalmember 66. Accordingly, the bottom horizontal member 88 is constructedof a three sided channel member resembling a wide inverted “U”, having achannel bottom 90, front and rear legs 92 and 94 which angle upward andoutward from the channel bottom 90 and first and second ends 96 and 98.A notch 100 is cut out of the front leg 92 on the second end 98 of thebottom horizontal member 88 for accommodating a hinge mechanism, as willbe described more fully herein. The bottom horizontal member 88 ispreferably constructed of steel.

The bottom horizontal member 88 of the frame 52 includes several sets ofapertures for securing snow plow components to the frame 52 of thereversible wing 50. A first set of apertures 102 is located on the frontleg 92 of the bottom horizontal member 88. The apertures 102 aresubstantially equally spaced in the longitudinal direction along thefront leg 92 of the bottom horizontal member 88 and are linearlyarranged with respect to each other. Preferably the first set ofapertures 102 includes five equally spaced apertures. Apertures 102 areprovided for securing a wearstrip and/or the moldboard to the frame 52of the reversible wing 50, as will be described in more detail withrespect to FIG. 5.

A second set of apertures 104 is located on the rear leg 94 of thebottom horizontal member 88. The apertures 104 are substantially equallyspaced in the longitudinal direction along the rear leg 94 of the bottomhorizontal member 88 are linearly arranged with respect to each other.Preferably the second set of apertures 104 includes five equally spacedapertures. Apertures 104 are provided for securing a rear scraper to theframe 52 of the reversible wing 50, as will be described in more detailwith respect to FIG. 5.

A third set of apertures 106 is located within the channel bottom 90 ofthe bottom horizontal member 88. The apertures 106 are located along thechannel bottom 90 at approximately the midpoint of the bottom horizontalmember 88, slightly towards the second end 98 of the bottom horizontalmember 88. Preferably, the third set of apertures 106 includes fourapertures arranges substantially in a rectangular arrangement (not allapertures 106 are visible in FIG. 1). Apertures 106 are provided forsecuring the hardware and/or support mechanism for a hydraulic system tothe frame 52 of the reversible wing 50, as will be described elsewhereherein.

A fourth set of apertures 108 is provided for securing additionalcomponents, such as a shoe support to the frame 52 of the reversiblewing 50, as will be described in more detail with regard to FIG. 5. Thefourth set of apertures 108 is located both within the channel bottom 90and on the rear leg 94 of the bottom horizontal member 88. The first,second, third and fourth sets of apertures 102-108 may contain anynumber and any size of apertures required to secure the required snowplow components to the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the tophorizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member 88 may be providedpre-drilled with each of the sets of apertures 80-86 and 102-108,respectively, before complete assembly of the frame 50, or that the tophorizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member 88 may be providedwithout such sets of apertures and drilled after assembly of the frame52. Consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention,however, the top horizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member88 may be completely absent the sets of apertures 80-86 and 102-108,respectively, with additional snow plow components of the reversiblewing 50 being mounted to the frame 52 by welding or securing suchcomponents by other methods known to those skilled in the art.

Importantly, however, when arranged within the frame 52, the tophorizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member 88 aresubstantially the mirror image of each other. In particular, in highlypreferred embodiments of the present invention, the configuration andplacement of the first through fourth sets of apertures 102-104 in thebottom horizontal member 88 will be the mirror image of the firstthrough fourth sets of apertures 80-86 in the top horizontal member 66in order to permit the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50 to be utilizedon either side of the center section 48 of the hinged snow plow bladeassembly 46.

The vertical side portion 58 of the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50of the present invention includes an end rib 110. The end rib 110 ismounted to the first end 74 of the top horizontal member 66 and thefirst end 96 of the bottom horizontal member 88, thereby overlying themas best shown in FIG. 1. The end rib 110 is preferably made of steel andpreferably welded to each of the top horizontal member 66 and the bottomhorizontal member 88, although any other method of attachment known tothose skilled in the art is contemplated by the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the end rib 110 has an arcuate shape when viewedfrom the side.

A middle rib 112 is located between each of the vertical side portions58 and 60 of the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50. The middle rib 112extends between the top horizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontalmember 88 and is mounted at each end thereto. To mount the middle rib112 in place on the frame 52, the middle rib 112 may be provided with alength that permits each end of the middle rib 112 to extend throughapertures in the channel bottom 68 and 90 of the top horizontal member66 and the bottom horizontal member 88, respectively. The middle rib 112is preferably made of steel and preferably welded to each of the tophorizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member 88, although anyother method of attachment known to those skilled in the art iscontemplated by the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, themiddle rib 112 has an arcuate shape when viewed from the side.

The vertical side portion 60 of the frame 52 of the reversible wing 50of the present invention is the side of the frame 52 that will be hingedin place to the center section 48 of the snow plow blade assembly 46.Accordingly, the vertical side portion 60 includes a generallyrectangular wing support member 114. As best viewed from FIG. 3, thewing support member 114 has a front face 116, a rear face 118 and sides120 and 122. The wing support member 114 is mounted at its top end tothe channel bottom 68 of the top horizontal member 66 whereby the frontface 116 of the wing support member 114 is mounted in substantialalignment with the channel bottom 68 near the front leg 70 thereof andthe rear face 118 of the wing support member 114 is mounted insubstantial alignment with the channel bottom 68 near the rear leg 72thereof. Likewise, the wing support member 114 is mounted at its bottomend to the channel bottom 90 of the bottom horizontal member 98 wherebythe front face 116 of the wing support member 114 is mounted insubstantial alignment with the channel bottom 90 near the front leg 92thereof and the rear face 118 of the wing support member 114 is mountedin substantial alignment with the channel bottom 90 near the rear leg 94thereof. Preferably, the wing support member 114 is constructed of steeland welded to the top horizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontalmember 88.

A support rib 124 is located adjacent to the wing support member 114near the side 122 thereof. The support rib 124 extends between the tophorizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member 88, is mounted ateach end thereto and is mounted at one side to the side 122 of the wingsupport member 114. Like the middle rib 112, the support rib 124 may beprovided with a length that permits each end of the support rib 124 toextend through apertures in the channel bottom 68 and 90 of the tophorizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member 88, respectively.The support rib 124 is preferably made of steel and preferably welded toeach of the top horizontal member 66 and the bottom horizontal member88, although any other method of attachment known to those skilled inthe art is contemplated by the present invention. The support rib 124has an arcuate shape when viewed from the side.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 b and 4 c, the frame 52 includes tworetainer plates 126 and 128 for supporting the skin/moldboard on thereversible wing 50. The retainer plate 126 extends from the verticalside portion 58 to the vertical side portion 60 of the frame 52 and ismounted to the top horizontal member 66 on the channel bottom 68 nearthe front leg 70 thereof. The retainer plate 126 is preferablyconstructed of steel and welded to the top horizontal member 66, the endrib 110, the middle rib, the support rib 124 and any other portion ofthe frame 52 required to secure the retainer plate 126 in place.

Likewise, the retainer plate 128 extends from the vertical side portion58 to the vertical side portion 60 of the frame 52 and is mounted to thebottom horizontal member 88 on the channel bottom 90 near the front leg92 thereof. The retainer plate 126 is preferably constructed of steeland welded to the bottom horizontal member 88, the end rib 110, themiddle rib, the support rib 124 and any other portion of the frame 52required to secure the retainer plate 126 in place.

A curved support plate 130 is located adjacent to the end rib 110 and ismounted at one side thereto. The curved support plate 130 extends fromthe retainer plate 126 on the top horizontal member 66 to the retainerplate 128 on the bottom horizontal member 88 and is mounted at one endto the retainer plate 126 and is mounted at the other end the retainerplate 128. The curved support plate 130 is preferably constructed ofsteel and preferably mounted in place on to the frame 52 by welding.

A curved support plate 132 is located adjacent to the support rib 124and is mounted at one side thereto. The curved support plate 132 extendsfrom the retainer plate 126 on the top horizontal member 66 to theretainer plate 128 on the bottom horizontal member 88 and is mounted atone end to the retainer plate 126 and is mounted at the other end theretainer plate 128. The curved support plate 132 is preferablyconstructed of steel and preferably mounted in place on to the frame 52by welding.

A plurality of hollow, tubular hinge pieces 134 are mounted onto thevertical side portion 60 of the frame 52 in order to permit thereversible wing 50 to hingedly attach to the center section 48 of thesnow plow blade assembly 46. Preferably, four tubular hinge pieces 134are used in the present invention. However, any number of tubular hingepieces 134 may be used to secure the reversible wing 50 to the centersection 48. Further, any other pivotable connection mechanism know tothose skilled in the art may also be used to attach the reversible wing50 to the center section 48.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the tubular hinge pieces 134 are mountedto the wing support member 114 along a corner 136 thereof atsubstantially the intersection of the front face 116 and the side 120 ofthe wing support member 114. The tubular hinge pieces 134 are mountedspaced-apart in axial alignment on the corner 136 of the wing supportmember 112 from a position on the wing support member 114 just below thenotch 78 on the second end 76 of the top horizontal member 66 to aposition on the wing support member 114 just above the notch 100 on thesecond end 98 of the bottom horizontal member 88. The tubular hingepieces 134 are preferably constructed of steel and are mounted to thewing support member 114 by welding.

A blade stop 138 is mounted to the side 120 of the wing support member114 to provide a limit to the hinged movement of the reversible wing 50.The blade stop 138 is substantially L-shaped and is mounted to the wingsupport member 114 extending from the top to the bottom of the wingsupport member 114 at a position just adjacent to the tubular hingepieces 134. The blade stop 138 is preferably constructed of steel and ismounted to the wing support member 114 by welding.

Before additional snow plow components are attached to the frame 52 ofthe present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that the frame 52 is substantially symmetrical about ahorizontal axis extending from approximately the midpoint of thevertical side portion 58 to approximately the midpoint of the verticalside portion 60. Accordingly, the frame 52 may be hingedly attached toeither side of the center section of the snow plow of the presentinvention by simply inverting the frame 52 (i.e. rotating the frame 180degrees about that horizontal axis). Thus, the frame 52 can be used toconstruct the reversible wing 50 of the present invention, as describedbelow, for use on one side, i.e. the left side, of the center section 48of the snow plow blade assembly 46, as shown in FIG. 29. It will also beapparent to those skilled in the art that the frame 52 may be used toconstruct the reversible wing 51 to be pivotally attached to theopposite side, i.e. the right side, of the center section 46, dependingon the position of the additional components mounted to the frame 52, asshown in FIG. 29.

Referring to FIGS. 4 a through 4 c and 5, in addition to FIGS. 1 through3, the frontmost portions of the top horizontal member 66, the retainerplate 126, the curved support plate 130, the end rib 110, the bottomhorizontal member 88, the retainer plate 128, the curved support plate132 and the support rib 124 together define a curved support surfacewhich will support a moldboard 140 thereupon. The moldboard 140 may bemade of steel, or alternatively may be constructed of a man-madematerial such as polycarbonate, which may be clear, or other man-madematerials such as ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene.

Extending across the front side 62 of the frame 52 is a moldboardretainer strip 142 into which the top edge of the moldboard 140 fits andis retained. The moldboard retainer strip 142 contains a plurality ofapertures 144 formed therein matching the pattern of the first set ofapertures 80 formed in the top horizontal member 66. (It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the apertures 144 formed inthe moldboard retainer strip 142 also substantially match the pattern ofthe first set of apertures 102 formed in the front leg 92 of the bottomhorizontal member 88 as the bottom horizontal member 88 is the mirrorimage of the top horizontal member 66). The moldboard retainer strip 142is removably attached to the top horizontal member 66 using bolts 146that secure the moldboard retainer strip 142 to the top horizontalmember 66. The moldboard retainer strip 142 is preferably constructed ofsteel, however, any rigid material known to those skilled in the art maybe used.

Alternately, if the apertures 144 and 80 are not tapped, bolts and nutscould be used to mount the moldboard retainer strip 142 onto the tophorizontal member 66. Optionally, the apertures 144 in the moldboardretainer strip 142 may be countersunk to recess the heads of the bolts146 to the level of the surface of the wearstrip moldboard retainerstrip 142.

The bottom edge of the moldboard 140 comes just to the top of the bottomhorizontal member 88, as shown in FIG. 4 c. A wearstrip 148 which isapproximately the same width as the bottom horizontal member 88 has aplurality of apertures 150 formed therein that substantially match thepattern of the first set of apertures 102 formed in the front leg 92 ofthe bottom horizontal member 88. (It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the apertures 150 formed in the wearstrip 148also substantially match the pattern of the first set of apertures 80formed in the front leg 70 of the top horizontal member 66, as the tophorizontal member 66 is the mirror image of the bottom horizontal member88).

The wearstrip 148 is bolted on to the bottom horizontal member 88 with aplurality of bolts 152. Alternately, if the apertures 150 and 102 arenot tapped, bolts and nuts could be used to mount the wearstrip 148 ontothe bottom horizontal member 88. Optionally, the apertures 150 in thewearstrip 148 may be countersunk to recess the heads of the bolts 152 tothe level of the surface of the wearstrip 148. The front leg 92 of thebottom horizontal member 88 is arranged and configured such that thewearstrip 148 will be mounted with its bottom edge angled forwardly withrespect to the ground at angle of between approximately zero andforty-five degrees, with between approximately fifteen and thirtydegrees being preferred, and an angle of approximately twenty-fivedegrees being most preferred.

When the wearstrip 148 is bolted to the bottom horizontal member 88, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it extends wellbelow the bottom horizontal member 88, so that as it is worn down, thebottom horizontal member 88 will not be damaged by contact with theground. The wearstrip 148 is preferably constructed of a high carbonsteel such as AISI 1080 high carbon steel. However, the wearstrip may beconstructed of any strong, rigid material known to those skilled in theart able to withstand the force necessary for moving a substantialamount of snow.

The wearstrip 148 retains the bottom of the moldboard 140 in place, andit will at once be appreciated that the moldboard 140 may be replaced bymerely removing the wearstrip 148, making the replacement substantiallyeasier than in earlier snow plow blade designs.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, mounting hardware 154 for mounting ahydraulic system or other system for moving the reversible wing 50 isremovably attached to the frame 52 on the bottom horizontal member 88.The mounting hardware 154 has a plurality of apertures 156 formedtherein that substantially match the pattern of the third set ofapertures 106 formed in the channel bottom 90 of the bottom horizontalmember 88. (It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theapertures 156 formed in the mounting hardware 154 also substantiallymatch the pattern of the third set of apertures 84 formed in the channelbottom 68 of the top horizontal member 66, as the top horizontal member66 is the mirror image of the bottom horizontal member 88).

The mounting hardware 154 is removably bolted on to the bottomhorizontal member 88 with a plurality of bolts (not shown in FIG. 5).Alternately, if the apertures 156 and 106 are not tapped, bolts and nutscould be used to secure the mounting hardware 154 onto the bottomhorizontal member 88.

Support shoe mounting hardware 160 for mounting a support shoe assembly162 onto the frame 52 is secured to the bottom horizontal member 88. Thesupport shoe mounting hardware 160 has a plurality of apertures 164formed therein that substantially match the pattern of the fourth set ofapertures 108 formed in the bottom horizontal member 88. (It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the apertures 164 formed inthe support shoe mounting hardware 160 also substantially match thepattern of the fourth set of apertures 86 formed in the top horizontalmember 66, as the top horizontal member 66 is the mirror image of thebottom horizontal member 88).

The support shoe mounting hardware 160 is removably bolted on to thebottom horizontal member 88 with a plurality of bolts (not shown in FIG.5). Alternately, if the apertures 164 and 108 are not tapped, bolts andnuts could be used to mount the support shoe mounting hardware 160 on tothe bottom horizontal member 88.

Optionally, the reversible wing 50 of the present invention includes arear scraper blade 168, which is approximately the same length as thebottom horizontal member 88. The rear scraper blade 168 has a pluralityof apertures 170 formed therein that substantially match the pattern ofthe second set of apertures 104 formed in the rear leg 94 of the bottomhorizontal member 88. (It will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the apertures 170 formed in the rear scraper blade 168 alsosubstantially match the pattern of the second set of apertures 82 formedin the rear leg 74 of the top horizontal member 66, as the tophorizontal member 66 is the mirror image of the bottom horizontal member88).

The rear scraper blade 168 is removably bolted on to the bottomhorizontal member 88 with a plurality of bolts 172. Alternately, if theapertures 170 and 104 are not tapped, bolts and nuts could be used tomount the rear scraper blade 168 onto the bottom horizontal member 88.Optionally, the apertures 170 in the rear scraper blade 168 may becountersunk to recess the heads of the bolts 172 to the level of thesurface of the rear scraper blade 168. The rear leg 94 of the bottomhorizontal member 88 is arranged and configured such that the rearscraper blade 168 will be mounted with its bottom edge angled forwardlywith respect to the ground at angle of between approximately zero andforty-five degrees, with between approximately fifteen and thirtydegrees being preferred, and an angle of approximately twenty-fivedegrees being most preferred.

Consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, thereversible wing 51 of the present invention, which is hingedly attachedto the center section 48 of the snow plow blade assembly 46 opposite ofthe reversible wing 50, is easily constructed using the frame 52 andremovable snow plow components as described above. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that in order to provide thereversible wing 51, the frame 52 is provided and is rotated 180 degreesso that the bottom horizontal member 88 and the top horizontal member 66are inverted with respect to the reversible wing 50. The moldboardretainer strip 142, the wearstrip 148, the mounting hardware 154, thesupport shoe mounting hardware 160 and the rear scraper 168 are thenremovably secured to the frame 52 in the manner described above, usingthe apertures provided therein.

Turning next to FIGS. 6 and 7, the center section 48 of the snow plowblade assembly 46 of the present invention is described. The centersection 48 includes a tower indicated generally at 174 that is a hollow,substantially triangular elongated member formed from a front plateindicated generally at 176 which is the front side of the tower 174 andtwo angled side plates indicated generally at 178 and 180 which angleaway from the front plate 176, towards the rear of the snow plow.Together the front plate 176 and the side plates 178 and 180 form threecorner edges 182, 184 and 186 of the tower 174. The tower 174 has a topindicated generally at 188 and a bottom indicated generally at 190.

The tower 174 is preferably constructed of steel, and is constructed bywelding the front plate 176 and the side plates 178 and 180 together atthe corner edges 182, 184 and 186. However, any rigid metal materialknown to those skilled in the art may be used to construct the tower174. Further, the tower 174 may be constructed of a triangular memberthat requires no assembly.

The internal perimeter of the tower 174 is reinforced with fourreinforcing plates 192 that are spaced apart along the length of thetower 174 from the top 188 to the bottom 190. Reinforcing plates 192 areprovided to supplement the structural strength of the tower 174. Thereinforcing plates 192 are preferably constructed of steel and welded tothe tower 174.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 through 10, in addition to FIGS. 6 and 7, thetop of the front plate 176 includes a forwardly projecting angledportion 194 that extends upwardly toward the front side of the snowplow. The angled portion 194 includes apertures 196. The front plate 176also includes two tabs 198 located on either side of the front plate 176near each of the corner edges 182 and 184. The tabs 198 project slightlyabove the top of the side plates 178 and 180 and each include anaperture 200 that will be used to secure the reversible wings 50 and 51to the center section 48, as will be described further below.

The edges of the front plate 174 angle slightly rearwardly to the corneredges 182 and 184, forming mounting surfaces 202 and 204 located neareach of the corner edges 182 and 184 of the tower 174, respectively (asbest illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9). Each mounting surface 202 and 204extend from the top 188 to the bottom 190 of the tower 174.

Mounting surface 202 contains a plurality of hollow, tubular hingepieces 206 secured thereto. Preferably, four tubular hinge pieces 206are used in the present invention. However, any number of tubular hingepieces 206 may be used. The tubular hinge pieces 206 are mountedspaced-apart in axial alignment on the mounting surface 202 of the tower174 from a position just below the tab 198 near the top 188 of the tower174 to the bottom 190 of the tower 174. The tubular hinge pieces 206 arearranged in a manner that will permit the tubular hinge pieces tointerfit with the tubular hinge pieces 134 on the reversible wing 50.The tubular hinge pieces 206 are preferably constructed of steel and aresecured to the mounting surface 202 by welding.

Likewise, mounting surface 204 contains a plurality of hollow, tubularhinge pieces 208 secured thereto. Preferably, four tubular hinge pieces208 are used in the present invention. However, any number of tubularhinge pieces 208 may be used. The tubular hinge pieces 208 are mountedspaced-apart in axial alignment on the mounting surface 204 of the tower174 from a position just below the tab 198 near the top 188 of the tower174 to the bottom 190 of the tower 174. The tubular hinge pieces 208 arearranged in a manner that will permit the tubular hinge pieces tointerfit with the tubular hinge pieces 134 on the reversible wing 51.The tubular hinge pieces 208 are preferably constructed of steel and aresecured to the mounting surface 204 by welding.

A trip spring retainer plate 210 is mounted near the top 188 of thetower 174 and extends outwardly from the sides 178 and 180. Preferably,the trip spring retainer plate 210 is constructed of steel and issecured to the tower 174 by welding. Two apertures 212 are formed withinthe trip spring retainer plate 210 towards the rear portion of the tripspring retainer plate 210. As best illustrated in FIG. 10, two springretainer eye bolts 214 are secured to the trip spring retainer plate210. Each eye bolt passes through one of the apertures 212 and isretained in place by a nut 216.

Referring next to FIG. 11, in addition to FIGS. 6 through 10, a blademounting plate 218 is attached to the front plate 176 at the bottom 190of the tower 174. The blade mounting plate 218 extends from the corneredge 182 to the corner edge 184 and angles forwardly towards the frontof the snow plow. The blade mounting plate 218 is preferably constructedfrom steel and welded into place on the tower 174. The blade mountingplate 218 includes two sets of apertures 220 and 222, a first set ofthree apertures 220 for securing a center blade 224 thereto. The secondset of two apertures 222 are provided for securing a cushion block 226thereto.

The center blade 224 is substantially trapezoidal in shape, having a topportion that is narrower than the bottom portion, as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10. The center blade 224 is wider than the tower 174 is itsbottom portion in order to prevent snow from getting past the snow plowin any configuration of the reversible wings 50, 51. The center blade224 contains a plurality of apertures matching the pattern of theapertures 220 formed in blade mounting plate 218.

A securing section 228 containing apertures 230 matching the pattern ofthe apertures 220 formed in blade mounting plate 218 removably securesthe center blade 224 to the front side of the blade mounting plate 218.Bolts 231 passing through the apertures 230 in the securing section 228,the apertures in the center blade and the apertures 220 in the blademounting plate 218 are used to retain the center blade 224 onto thetower 174, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The center blade 224 is preferablyconstructed of rubber, urethane, or a rubberized material. However, thecenter blade 224 can alternatively be a steel material, a polycarbonatematerial, thermoplastic material or any other suitable material known tothose skilled in the art.

The center blade 224 will be mounted with its bottom edge angledforwardly with respect to the ground at angle of between approximatelyzero and forty-five degrees, with between approximately fifteen andthirty degrees being preferred, and an angle of approximatelytwenty-five degrees being most preferred.

The cushion block 226 is provided to absorb the impact of the plow bladeas it moves between its limits, i.e. when the blade trips during anencounter with an object as will be described in more detail herein. Thecushion block 226 is generally rectangular in shape and has aperturesmatching the pattern of the apertures 222 formed in blade mounting plate218 (apertures not visible in the figures). The cushion block 226 issecured to the rear side of the blade mounting plate 218 using a smallerreinforcing plate 234 also having apertures 236 matching the pattern ofthe apertures 222 formed in blade mounting plate 218. Bolts 238 passingthrough the apertures 222 in the blade mounting plate 218, the aperturesin the cushion block 226 and the apertures 236 in the reinforcing plate234 and nuts 240 are used to removably secure the cushion block 226 inplace on the tower 174. In addition, washers may be used to ensure thatthe cushion block 226 and reinforcing plate 234 are tightly secured tothe blade mounting plate 218.

As best illustrated in FIG. 10, an opening 242 is formed within in thetower 174 wherein portion of each of the side plates 178 and 180 isremoved therefrom, providing access to the rear side of the front plate176. A substantially square stop plate 280 is located just underneaththe corner edge 186 where the side plates 178 and 180 meet, at the topof the opening 242. The stop plate 280 is preferably constructed ofsteel and welded to the tower 174.

Trip plates 252 and 254 are vertically located on the rear side of thetower 174. Trip plates are identical to each other and each includes atriangular top portion 256, a middle portion 260 and a bottom portion264 (as shown in FIG. 8 for the trip plate 252. Trip plate 254, notshown, has a corresponding top portion 256, a middle portion 260 and abottom portion 264). The trip plate 252 is preferably made of steel andis welded at its triangular top portion 256 and middle portion 260 tothe side plate 178 and is welded at its bottom portion 264 to the blademounting plate 218. Likewise, the trip plate 254 is preferably made ofsteel and is welded at its triangular top portion 256 and middle portion260 to the side plate 180 and is welded at its bottom portion 264 to theblade mounting plate 218.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, the trip plates 252 and 254 eachcontain an aperture 267 and 269, respectively. The apertures 267 and 269are located in horizontal coaxial alignment with each other on the tripplates 252 and 254 such that a pin or another elongated member may bepassed through both apertures 267 and 269.

A U-shaped cylinder mount bracket 268 is mounted on trip plate 252 forsecuring the end of a hydraulic cylinder (or other mechanism for movingthe reversible wings 50, 51 into position). Each leg of the U-shapedcylinder mount bracket 268 includes an aperture 270. The apertures 270are in vertical coaxial alignment with each other so as to permit a pin272 to pass therethrough. Likewise, a U-shaped cylinder mount bracket274 is mounted on trip plate 254 for securing the end of a hydrauliccylinder (or other mechanism for moving the reversible wings 50, 51 intoposition). Each leg of the U-shaped cylinder mount bracket 274 includesan aperture 276. The apertures 276 are in vertical coaxial alignmentwith each other so as to permit a pin 278 to pass therethrough.

Turning next to FIGS. 12 through 15, an intermediate section 282 isillustrated. The intermediate section 282 has a top side indicatedgenerally at 284, a bottom side indicated generally at 286, a front sideindicated generally at 288, which will face towards the tower 174, and arear side indicated generally at 290, which will face the snow plowvehicle.

The intermediate section 282 includes a top plate 292 and a bottom plate294. The top plate 292 includes a substantially square aperture 296 andthree securing apertures 298 for securing a cushion thereto, which willbe described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 34 and 35 herein.The top plate 292 also contains a larger, round aperture 300 forsecuring a support shoe or another support mechanism to the intermediatesection 282, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 through35 also herein.

The bottom plate 294 is identical in configuration as the top plate 292and, accordingly, contains a substantially square aperture 302 and threesecuring apertures 304 for securing a cushion thereto, which will bedescribed in further detail with reference to FIGS. 32 through 35herein. The bottom plate 294 also contains a larger, round aperture 306for securing a support shoe or another support mechanism to theintermediate section 282, which will also be described with reference toFIGS. 32 through 35 herein.

The intermediate section 282 is arranged and configured such that thetop and bottom plates 292 and 294 are positioned horizontally parallelto each other with the square apertures 296 and 302, securing apertures298 and 304, and round apertures 300 and 306 substantially aligned. Boththe top and bottom plates 292 and 294 are preferably constructed ofsteel.

Referring next to FIGS. 13 through 15, the top and bottom plates 292 and294 are secured together by first and second sides 308 and 310,respectively. The first side 308 includes a first circular aperture 312located near the rear side 290 of the intermediate section 282 and asecond circular aperture 314 located near the front side 288 of theintermediate section 282. The first side 308 also includes an upwardlyprojecting tab 316 including an aperture 318 for securing the end of atrip spring thereto. The first side 308 also contains a downwardlyprojecting fin 320 located near the front side 288 of the intermediatesection 282.

The second side 310 of the intermediate section 282 is substantially themirror image of the first side 308 and thus includes a first circularaperture 322 located near the rear side 290 of the intermediate section282 and a second circular aperture 324 located near the front side 288of the intermediate section 282. The second side 310 also includes anupwardly projecting tab 326 including an aperture 328 for securing theend of the trip spring thereto. The second side 310 also contains adownwardly projecting fin 330 located near the front side 288 of theintermediate section 282.

The first and second sides 308 and 310 are positioned such that thefirst circular apertures 312 and 322, the second circular apertures 314and 324, the tabs 316 and 326, and the fins 320 and 330 are verticallyaligned, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15. The first and second sides 308and 310 are preferably constructed of steel and welded into position.

The intermediate section 282 also includes a hollow, pivot tube 332having ends 334 and 336. The pivot tube 332 extends through the secondcircular aperture 314 in the first side 308 of the intermediate section282 and through the second circular aperture 324 in the second side 310of the intermediate section 282, with ends 334 and 336 extending outfrom the first and second sides 308 and 310, respectively. The pivottube 332 may optionally include a grease fitting 338 that will permitlubrication of the pivoting element when the snow plow blade iscompletely assembled, as will be described in more detail herein. Thepivot tube 332 is preferably steel and is secured in place on theintermediate section 282 by welding.

Turning next to FIGS. 16 through 21, a main frame 344 of the snow plowof the present invention is illustrated. The main frame 344 will bemounted to the intermediate section 282, as will be described in detailwith respect to FIGS. 21, 36 and 37. The main frame 344 has a front end346 and a rear end 348 and contains right and left sides 350 and 352,respectively, that are symmetric around an axis running from the frontend 346 to the rear end 348 thereof. The main frame 344 tapers from anarrower width at the front end 346 to a wider width at the rear end 348thereof.

The basic shape of the main frame 344 is formed by a top plate 354 and abottom plate 356, which are essentially parallel and are spaced apartfrom each other. There is a large aperture extending through each of thetop plate 354 and the bottom plate 356 which resembles an isoscelestrapezoid. The top plate 354 and the bottom plate 356 are preferablymade of steel.

Portions of all four sides of the top plate 354, substantially aroundthe perimeter of the main frame 344, are bent downwardly at a ninetydegree angle to extend to the top of the bottom plate 356 (asillustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18 through 21). For example, as bestillustrated in FIG. 16, the top plate 354 is bent downwardly and weldedto the top of the bottom plate 356 forming the left side 352 of the mainframe 344. The front end 346, the rear end 348 and the right side 350are similarly formed from the top plate 354 and are welded to the topside of the bottom plate 356, respectively.

Mounted between the sides of the top plate 354 and the bottom plate 356and extending rearwardly from the rear end 348 of the main frame 344 arelugs 358 and 360. The lugs 358 and 360 are preferably made of steel andare welded onto the sides of the top plate 354 and the bottom plate 356.The portion of the lug 358 which extends upwardly and rearwardly fromthe top plate 354 and the bottom plate 356 has an aperture 362 extendingtherethrough, and the portion of the lug 360 which extends rearwardlyfrom the top plate 354 and the bottom plate 356 has an aperture 364extending therethrough.

Mounted adjacent to each of the lugs 358 and 360 are lug gusset plates366 and 368 for adding additional support to lugs 358 and 360. The luggusset plates 366 and 368 are preferably made of steel and each arewelded to the top plate 354 and to the lugs 358 and 360, respectively.

Mounted at substantially the center of the rear end 348 of the top plate354 and the bottom plate 356 are two lift cylinder mounts 370 and 372.The lift cylinder mounts 370 and 372 are parallel both to each other andto the plane which divides the main frame 344 into left and right sidesthereof. The lift cylinder mounts 370 and 372 each extend from slots 374and 376, respectively, in the bottom plate 356 to the slots 378 and 380,respectively, in the top plate 354. The lift cylinder mounts 370 and 372are also preferably made of steel and their ends are welded into theslots 374 and 376, respectively, in the bottom plate 356 and the slots378 and 380, respectively, in the top plate 354. The lift cylindermounts 370 and 372 each have an aperture 382 and 384, respectively,located therein which are coaxial to each other.

An inner support plate 386 is mounted between the top plate 354 and thebottom plate 356 near the top of the aperture in the main frame 344,near the front end 346. Located at the top of the trapezoidal aperturein the main frame 344, are two spaced-apart pivot mount plates 388 and390. The pivot mount plates 388 and 390 are also preferably made ofsteel and are welded onto the inner support plate 386, the portion ofthe top plate 354 adjacent thereto, and the portion of the bottom plate356 adjacent thereto. The pivot mount plates 388 and 390 are mounted onopposite sides of the centerline of the main frame 344, and extendrearwardly and upwardly from the inner support plate 386, and extenddownward from the bottom plate 356. Located near the rearmost anduppermost ends of the pivot mount plates 388 and 390 are apertures 392and 394, respectively, which are coaxial to each other.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 18 through 21, a platform 396 is mounted onto the topmost edges of the pivot mount plates 388 and 390 for securinghydraulic and/or electrical equipment to the main frame 344. Theplatform 396 is preferably constructed of steel. To secure the platform396 to the main frame 344, a portion of each of the pivot mount plates388 and 390 extends through slots in the platform 396 and the pivotmount plates 388 and 390 are welded therein.

Hinge brackets 402 and 404 are mounted near the front end 346 on each ofthe left and right sides 352 and 350 of the main frame 344. Hingebrackets 402 and 404 are secured to the ends of the left and right sides352 and 350, respectively, and extend beyond the front end 346 of thetop and bottom plates 354 and 356. The hinge brackets 402 and 404 arealso preferably made of steel and are preferably secured in place ontothe main frame 344 by welding.

The hinge brackets 402 and 404 are substantially L-shaped having a rearportion that extends outwardly from left and sides 352 and 350,respectively, of the main frame 344 and that curves inwardly near afront portion thereof, as best illustrated in FIG. 17. The rear portionof each hinge bracket 402 and 404 extends above the top plate 354 andcontains an aperture 406 and 408, respectively. The rear portion of eachhinge bracket 402 and 404 also extends below the bottom plate 356 andcontains an aperture 410 and 412, respectively. Nuts 414, 416, 418 and420 are welded onto the apertures 406, 408, 410, and 412, respectively,so that the opening in each nut is coaxial with each respectiveaperture. The front portion of each hinge bracket 402 and 404 containapertures 422 and 424, respectively, that are coaxial with each other.

A hollow tube 426 extends from the hinge bracket 402 to the hingebracket 404 having an end 428 that extends through the aperture 422 inthe hinge bracket 402 and an end 430 that extends through the aperture424 in the hinge bracket 404.

Referring next to FIG. 22, a lift bar 432 is illustrated which formspart of the hitch mechanism of the snow plow. The lift bar 432 has twolift bar support members 434 and 436, which are located on the left andright sides, respectively, of the lift bar 432. Each of the lift barsupport members 434 and 436 has a configuration consisting of threesegments: rear mounting supports 438 and 440, respectively, which extendupward vertically; central support arms 442 and 444, respectively, whichextend forwardly and upwardly from the top of the rear mounting supports438 and 440, respectively; and front light bar supports 446 and 448,respectively, which extend upwardly from the forwardmost and upwardmostends of the central support arms 442 and 444, respectively. The lift barsupport members 434 and 436 are preferably made of steel plate.

Extending inwardly from the rear sides of rear mounting supports 438 and440 are segments of angled stock 450 and 452, respectively. It should benoted that the angle defined by each of the segments of angled stock 450and 452 is less than ninety degrees, as, for example, approximatelyseventy degrees. The reason for this angle will become apparent below inconjunction with the discussion of FIGS. 27 and 28. The angled stocksegments 450 and 452 are also preferably made of steel, and are weldedonto rear mounting supports 438 and 440, respectively, so that the rearmounting supports 438 and 440 and the angled stock segments 450 and 452together form vertically-oriented channels which are essentiallyU-shaped. Referring for the moment to FIG. 16 in addition to FIG. 22,the space between the rear mounting support 438 and the angled stocksegment 450 of the lift bar 432 is designed to admit the lug 358 of themain frame 344 with space between the lug 358 and the inside of theangled stock segment 450, and similarly the space between the angledstock segment 452, and the rear mounting support 440 of the lift bar 432is designed to admit the lug 360 of the main frame 344 with spacebetween the lug 360 and the inside of the angled stock segment 452.

Referring again solely to FIG. 22, a rectangular reinforcing segment 454(preferably also made of steel) is located at the bottom of the U-shapedchannel formed by the rear mounting support 438 and the angled stocksegment 450, and is welded to the bottoms of the rear mounting support438 and the angled stock segment 450. Similarly, a rectangularreinforcing segment 456 (preferably also made of steel) is located atthe bottom of the U-shaped channel formed by the rear mounting support440 and the angled stock segment 452, and is welded to the bottoms ofthe rear mounting support 440 and the angled stock segment 452.

Not illustrated in the figures but used to reinforce the construction ofthe lift bar 432 are two additional rectangular reinforcing segmentswhich are respectively located above the reinforcing segments 454 and456. On the left side of the lift bar 432, the first of these additionalreinforcing segments (preferably also made of steel) is located near thetop of the U-shaped channel formed by the rear mounting support 438 andthe angled stock segment 450, and is welded to the tops of the rearmounting support 438 and the angled stock segment 450. Similarly, theother of these reinforcing segments (preferably also made of steel) islocated at near the top of the U-shaped channel formed by the rearmounting support 440 and the angled stock segment 452, and is welded tothe tops of the rear mounting support 440 and the angled stock segment452.

Extending between the lift bar support members 434 and 436 are a largerdiameter hollow round upper pin support tube 458 and a smaller diameterround light bar brace 460. The upper pin support tube 458 and the lightbar brace 460 are both also preferably made of steel. One end of theupper pin support tube 458 extends through an aperture 462 located in anintermediate position in the central support arm 442 of the lift barsupport member 434, and the other end of the upper pin support tube 458extends through an aperture 464 located in an intermediate position inthe central support arm 444 of the lift bar support member 436. The endsof the upper pin support tube 458 are welded onto the central supportarms 442 and 444. One end of the light bar brace 460 is welded onto thelift bar support member 434 at the intersection of the central supportarm 442 and the light bar support 446, and the other end of the lightbar brace 460 is welded onto the lift bar support member 436 at theintersection of the central support arm 444 and the light bar support448.

Two upper pin hanger plates 466 and 468 are mounted on the upper pinsupport tube 458 in spaced-apart fashion near the middle of the upperpin support tube 458. The upper pin hanger plates 466 and 468 haveapertures 470 and 472, respectively, extending therethrough near one endthereof, and the upper pin support tube 458 extends through theseapertures 470 and 472. The upper pin hanger plates 466 and 468 are bothalso preferably made of steel, and are welded onto the upper pin supporttube 458 in a manner whereby they are projecting forwardly. A tubularupper pin 474 extends through apertures 476 and 478 in the upper pinhanger plates 466 and 468, respectively, near the other end thereof. Theupper pin 474 is also preferably made of steel, and is welded onto theupper pin hanger plates 466 and 468.

Located in the rear mounting support 438, the angled stock segment 450,the angled stock segment 452, and the rear mounting support 440 near thebottoms thereof are apertures 480, 482, 484, and 486, respectively,which are aligned with each other and which together define a pivot axisabout which the lift bar 432 will pivot when it is mounted onto the mainframe 344 (illustrated in FIG. 26). Located in the rear mounting support438, the angled stock segment 450, the angled stock segment 452, and therear mounting support 440 nearer the tops thereof than the bottomsthereof are apertures 488, 490 (not shown in FIG. 22), 492, and 494,which are also aligned with each other.

The apertures 488 and 490 define a first location into which a retainingpin (not shown in FIG. 22) will be placed to mount the snow plow of thepresent invention onto a truck, and the apertures 492 and 494 define asecond location into which another retaining pin (not shown in FIG. 22)will be placed to mount the snow plow of the present invention onto thetruck. Located in the light bar support 446 are three apertures 496, andlocated in the light bar support 448 are three apertures 498. Theapertures 496 and 498 will be used to mount a light bar (not illustratedin FIG. 22) onto the lift bar 432.

Referring now to FIG. 23, a hitch frame nose piece 500 which will bemounted onto a truck under the front bumper (not illustrated in FIG. 23)thereof is illustrated. The hitch frame nose piece 500 has a squarehitch frame tube 502 which is horizontally oriented. Four hitch brackets504, 506, 508, and 510 are mounted on the square hitch frame tube 502 inspaced-apart pairs located nearer the ends of the square hitch frametube 502 than the center thereof. The hitch brackets 504, 506, 508, and510 have square apertures 512, 514, 516, and 518, respectively,extending therethrough to receive therein the square hitch frame tube502. Both the square hitch frame tube 502 and the hitch brackets 504,506, 508, and 510 are preferably made of steel, and the hitch brackets504, 506, 508, and 510 are welded onto the square hitch frame tube 502.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 22 in addition to FIG. 23, the spacebetween the hitch bracket 504 and the hitch bracket 506 of the hitchframe nose piece 500 is designed to admit the rear mounting support 438and the angled stock segment 450 of the lift bar 432, and similarly thespace between the hitch bracket 508 and the hitch bracket 510 of thehitch frame nose piece 500 is designed to admit the angled stock segment452 and the rear mounting support 440 of the lift bar 434. The hitchbrackets 504, 506, 508, and 510 have rectangular notches 520, 522, 524,526, respectively, cut into the front sides thereof.

Located in the hitch brackets 504, 306, 508, and 510 in the bottoms ofthe rectangular notches 520, 522, 524, and 526, respectively, are slots528, 530, 532, and 534, respectively. The slots 528, 530, 532, and 534have rounded bottoms, and are axially aligned. Also located in the hitchbrackets 504, 506, 508, and 510 above the tops of the rectangularnotches 520, 522, 524, and 526, respectively, are apertures 536, 538,540, and 542, respectively. The apertures 536, 538, 540, and 542 arealso axially aligned.

Unlike the hitch brackets 506 and 508 which are flat, the hitch brackets504 and 510 have their forward-most portions flanged outwardly to act asguides to direct the lift bar 432 (illustrated in FIG. 22) intoengagement with the hitch frame nose piece 500. Thus, the portions ofthe hitch brackets 504 and 510 at the front of the rectangular notches520 and 526, respectively, extend outwardly, both on the top of therectangular notches 520 and 526 and on the bottom of the rectangularnotches 520 and 526. It should be noted that, if desired, the hitchbrackets 504 and 510 may also be flat. The ramifications of having themflat instead of flanged will eliminate the utility of the left and rightsides of the lift bar 432.

The respective ends of the square hitch frame tube 502 are mounted ontomounting plates 544 and 546. The mounting plates 544 and 546 are alsopreferably made of steel, and the ends of the square hitch frame tube502 are welded onto the mounting plates 544 and 546. Located in themounting plates 544 and 546 are a plurality of apertures 548 and 550,respectively, which will be used to mount the hitch frame nose piece 500onto the frame of a truck (not shown in FIG. 23) using mounting brackets(not shown in FIG. 23) in a manner which is conventional.

Referring next to FIG. 24, a bellcrank 560 is illustrated. The bellcrank560 has parallel, spaced apart triangular pivot plates 562 and 564. Oneof the sides of the triangle is shorter than the other two in each ofthe pivot plates 562 and 564. A gusset plate 566 is mounted between thepivot plates 562 and 564 with one side thereof near the shortest side ofthe triangle to support the pivot plates 562 and 564 in theirspaced-apart configuration. In the preferred embodiment, both the pivotplates 562 and 564 and the gusset plate 566 are made of steel, and arewelded together.

The pivot plates 562 and 564 have apertures 570 and 572, respectively,located therein near a first corner of the triangle which will be usedto mount the bellcrank 560 for pivotal movement from the apertures 392and 394 of the pivot mount plates 388 and 390, respectively (illustratedin FIG. 16). The pivot plates 562 and 564 have apertures 574 and 576,respectively, located therein near a second corner of the triangle whichwill be connected via the element to be discussed in FIG. 25 below todrive the upper pin 474 of the lift bar 432 (illustrated in FIG. 22).The pivot plates 562 and 564 have apertures 578 and 580 (not shown inFIG. 24), respectively, located therein near the third corner of thetriangle will be connected to a hydraulic cylinder (not shown in FIG.24). The short side of the triangle is between the first and thirdcorners of the triangle. The side of the gusset plate 566 adjacent thisshort side will act as a lift stop to limit pivotal movement of thegusset plate 566 when this side of the gusset plate 566 contacts thepivot mount plates 388 and 390 (illustrated in FIG. 16).

Referring now to FIG. 25, a lift link 590 is illustrated. The lift link590 has parallel, spaced apart arms 592 and 594. A gusset plate 596 ismounted between the arms 592 and 594 in their spaced-apartconfiguration. The side of the gusset plate 596 which is oriented towardone end of the arms 592 and 594 has a notch 598 cut therein. In thepreferred embodiment, both the arms 592 and 594 and the gusset plate 596are made of steel, and are welded together. The one end of the arms 592and 594 have apertures 600 and 602, respectively, located therein, andthe other ends of arms 592 and 594 have apertures 604 and 606,respectively, located therein.

Referring next to FIG. 26, the linkage used to attach the snow plow ofthe present invention to the hitch frame nose piece 500 is illustrated.The components which are linked together are the main frame 344, thelift bar 432, the bellcrank 560, and the lift link 590. Accordingly,reference may also be had to FIGS. 16 and 22 through 26 as well as toFIGS. 27 and 28 in the following description of the interconnection ofthese components. The lift bar 432 is pivotally mounted on the mainframe 344 using two pins 608 and 610 (the pin 610 is not shown in FIGS.16, 27 and 28) which are each of a length longer than distance betweenthe opposite-facing sides of the pairs of the hitch brackets 504 and506, or 508 and 510 (illustrated in FIG. 28). The pins 608 and 610 arepreferably made of steel.

In the preferred embodiment, a hollow cylindrical collar 612 (shown inFIGS. 27 and 28) having a setscrew 614 (also shown in FIGS. 27 and 28)is used with the pin 608 as a spacer. A similar collar which a setscrew(not shown in the drawings) is used with the pin 610 as a spacer. Thecollar 612 will be located intermediate the lug 358 on the plow mainframe 344 and the angled stock segment 450 on the lift bar 432. Thesetscrew 614 on the collar 612 may be used to lock the collar 612 inplace on the pin 608. The other collar will be located intermediate thelug 360 on the main frame 344 and the angled stock segment 452 on thelift bar 432, with a setscrew in that collar being used to lock thatcollar in place on the pin 610.

The pin 608 will thus extend sequentially through the aperture 480 inthe rear mounting support 438 of the lift bar 432, the aperture 362 inthe lug 358 of the main frame 344, the collar 612, and the aperture 482in the angled stock segment 450 of the lift bar 432. The pin 608 will beretained in place by the setscrew 614 on the collar 612, which willcontact the pin 608 when it is screwed into the collar. Approximatelyequal lengths of the pin 408 extend outwardly beyond the rear mountingsupport 438 and the angled stock segment 450 at each end of the pin 608.Alternately, the pin 608 may be welded in place on the rear mountingsupport 438 and the angled stock segment 450 of the lift bar 432, orC-clips (not shown herein) could be installed in annular groves (notshown herein) in the pin 608 at locations which correspond to the endsof the collar.

Likewise, the pin 610 will thus extend sequentially through the aperture484 in the angled stock segment 452 of the lift bar 432, the othercollar, the aperture 364 in the lug 360 of the main frame 344, and theaperture 486 in the rear mounting support 440 of the lift bar 432. Thepin 610 will be retained in place by the setscrew on the collar, whichwill contact the pin 610 when it is screwed into the collar. Equallengths of the pin 610 extend outwardly beyond the angled stock segment452 and the rear mounting support 440 at each end of the pin 610.Alternately, the pin 610 may be welded in place on the angled stocksegment 452 and the rear mounting support 440 of the lift bar 432, orC-clips (not shown herein) could be installed in annular groves (notshown herein) in the pin 610 at locations which correspond to the endsof the collar.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the liftbar 432 is pivotally mounted onto the main frame 344 using the pins 608and 610. When the snow plow of the present invention is mounted onto avehicle using the hitch frame nose piece 500, the ends of the pins 608and 610 will be received in the pairs of slots 528 and 530, and 532 and534 in the hitch frame nose piece 300 (illustrated in FIG. 23). Thus,the pins 608 and 610 function both to pivotally mount the lift bar 432onto the main frame 344, and to help to mount the snow plow onto thehitch frame nose piece 500.

The bellcrank 560 is pivotally mounted on the main frame 344 using twobolts 620 and two nuts 622. The pivot plates 562 and 564 of thebellcrank 560 will fit outside of the pivot mount plates 388 and 390 ofthe main frame 344, respectively. One of the bolts 620 will extendthrough the aperture 392 in the pivot mount plate 388 of the main frame344 and the aperture 570 in the pivot plate 562 of the bellcrank 560,and one of the nuts 622 will be mounted on that bolt 620 to retain it inplace. The other one of the bolts 620 will extend through the aperture394 in the pivot mount plate 390 of the main frame 344 and the aperture572 in the pivot plate 564 of the bellcrank 560, and the other one ofthe nuts 622 will be mounted on that bolt 620 to retain it in place.

The bolts 620 allow the bellcrank 560 to pivot on the main frame 344. Inthe preferred embodiment, a spacer and two washers (not shown) may beused with each of the bolts 620, the spacer going through the aperturesin the parts being pivotally joined and being longer than the combinedthickness of the apertures in the parts, and a washer being located oneither end of the spacer to facilitate free rotation of parts, heremovement of the bellcrank 560 with reference to the main frame 344. Itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that a spacer and twowashers will preferably be used at other points of relative movementbetween two elements of linkage of the snow plow described herein,although the spacer and two washers will not be specifically mentionedin conjunction with each of these pivoting connections made between twoelements using a bolt. In addition, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that a pin retained by a cotter pin (not shownherein) could be used instead of a bolt and nut in many of theapplications for a fastener used in the linkage discussed herein.

A hydraulic lift cylinder 624 is mounted at one end to the cylindermounts 370 and 372 of the main frame 344 using a bolt 626 which extendsthrough the aperture 382 in the cylinder mount 370 and the aperture 384in the cylinder mount 372, with a nut 628 being used to retain the bolt626 in place. The other end of the hydraulic cylinder 624 drives thethird corner of the triangular pivot plates 562 and 564 of the bellcrank560, with a bolt 630 extending between the aperture 578 in the pivotplate 562 of the bellcrank 560 and the aperture 580 in the pivot plate564 of the bellcrank 560. A nut 632 is used to retain the bolt 630 inplace. The bolts 626 and 630 allow the hydraulic cylinder 624 to move asit drives the bellcrank 560. Spacers (not shown herein) may be used oneach side of the other end of the hydraulic cylinder 624 on the insidesof the pivot plates 562 and 564 to center the hydraulic cylinder 624.

The lift link 590 is used to connect the bellcrank 560 to pivot the liftbar 432. A bolt 634 is used to connect the lift link 590 to the lift bar344, with the bolt 634 extending sequentially through the aperture 604in the arm 592 of the lift link 590, the upper pin 474 from the endextending through the upper pin hanger plate 466 to the end extendingthrough the upper pin hanger plate 468 of the lift bar 432, and theaperture 606 in the arm 594 of the lift link 590. A nut 636 is used toretain the bolt 634 in place. The bolt 634 allows the lift link 590 topivot on the lift bar 432, and a spacer and two washers may also be usedas mentioned hereinabove.

The second corner of the triangle formed by the pivot plates 562 and 564of the bellcrank 560 drives the ends of the arms 592 and 594 of the liftlink 590 which are not connected to the lift bar 432. Two bolts 638 areused to connect the bellcrank 560 to the lift link 590, with one of thebolts 638 also being used to mount a stand 640. The stand 640 isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,688, to Struck et al., which patent isassigned to the assignee of the inventions described herein. U.S. Pat.No. 5,894,688 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

One bolt 638 extends through the aperture 600 in the arm 692 of the liftlink 590 and the aperture 574 of the pivot plate 562 of the bellcrank560, with a nut 642 being used to retain the first bolt 638 in place,and a spacer and two washers may also be used as mentioned hereinabove.The other bolt 638 (not shown) extends sequentially through an aperture(not shown) in the upper portion of the stand 640, the aperture 576 ofthe pivot plate 564 of the bellcrank 560, and the aperture 602 in thearm 594 of the lift link 590, with a nut 642 being used to retain thesecond bolt 638 in place. The second bolt 638 allows the lift link 590to pivot on the bellcrank 560, and a spacer and two washers may again beused as mentioned hereinabove. A removable pin (not shown) extendingthrough an aperture near the top of the stand 640 and apertures locatedin the lift link 590 is used to link the stand 640 with the lift link590.

The hydraulic cylinder 624 is shown in FIG. 26 nearly in its fullyretracted position. When the hydraulic cylinder 624 is fully extended,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the lift bar 432will rotate counterclockwise from the position in which it is shown inFIG. 26, and the stand 640 will be lowered to engage the ground (notshown) and thereby tend to lift the rear end of the main frame 344upwardly. It will also be appreciated that once the pins 608 and 610 arein engagement with the slots 528, 530, 532, and 534 in the hitchbrackets 504, 506, 508, and 510, respectively, of the hitch frame nosepiece 500, the hydraulic cylinder 624 may be used to align the apertures488, 490, 492, and 494 on the lift bar 432 with the apertures 536, 538,540, and 542, respectively, in the hitch brackets 504, 506, 508, and510, respectively, of the hitch frame nose piece 500.

Turning next to FIGS. 29 and 30, in addition to FIGS. 1 through 6,installation of the reversible wings 50 and 51 onto the center section48 of snow plow of the present invention is illustrated. The reversiblewing 50 is arranged on the tower 174 so that the tubular hinge pieces134 on the reversible wing 50 coaxially interfit with the tubular hingepieces 206 on the tower 174, as best illustrated in FIG. 29. Anelongated pin 650 passes through both the tubular hinge pieces 134 onthe reversible wing 50 and the tubular hinge pieces 206 on the tower174, forming a pivotable hinge. To secure the pin 650 in place, a bolt652 passes through the aperture 200 in one of the tabs 198 of the tower174 and through apertures 654 in the top of the pin 650 and is securedin place by a nut 656.

Likewise, the reversible wing 51 is arranged on the tower 174 so thatthe tubular hinge pieces 134 on the reversible wing 51 coaxiallyinterfit with the tubular hinge pieces 208 on the tower 174, as bestillustrated in FIG. 29. An elongated pin 658 passes through both thetubular hinge pieces 134 on the reversible wing 51 and the tubular hingepieces 208 on the tower 174, forming a pivotable hinge. To secure thepin 658 in place, a bolt 660 passes through the aperture 200 in theother tab 198 of the tower 174 and through apertures (not shown in FIGS.29 and 30) in the top of the pin 658 and is secured in place by a nut(not shown).

Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that thereversible wing 50 is hingedly attached to the tower 174 and can moveforward and back accordingly. In addition, in case of damage to eitherreversible wing 50 or 51, the reversible wings 50 and 51 are easilyremoved from the center section 48 by simply removing the nuts and boltsand removing the elongated pins 650 and 658, respectively. Accordingly,replacement wings are easily mounted to the center section 48 asdescribed above.

Turning next to FIG. 31, in addition to FIGS. 1-6 and 29 and 30,installation of hydraulic swing cylinders 670 and 672 is shown. Theswing cylinder 670 is secured at one end to the cylinder mount bracket268 on the trip plate 252 of the center section 48 using the pin 272(shown in FIG. 16) which passes consecutively through the top aperture270 in the cylinder mount bracket 268, through the end of swing cylinder670, and through the bottom aperture 270 of the cylinder mount bracket268. The swing cylinder 670 is secured at its other end to the mountinghardware 154 on the reversible wing 50 with a pin 674.

Likewise, the swing cylinder 672 is secured at one end to the cylindermount bracket 274 on the trip plate 254 of the center section 48 usingthe pin 278 which passes consecutively through the top aperture 276 inthe cylinder mount bracket 274, through the end of swing cylinder 672,and through the bottom aperture 276 of the cylinder mount bracket 274(not shown in FIG. 31). The swing cylinder 672 is secured at its otherend to the mounting hardware 154 on the reversible wing 51 with a pin676. It will be understood that the pins 272, 276, 674 and 676 are allretained in place with cotter pins (not shown) as is well known to thoseskilled in the art. However, any securing mechanism known to thoseskilled in the art may be used to retain the swing cylinders 670 and 672in place on the snow plow blade assembly 46.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31, in addition to FIGS. 1 through5, installation of support shoes 162 onto the support shoe mountinghardware 160 on each reversible wing 50 and 51, respectively, is shown.The shoes 162 are designed to ride in sliding contact with the surfaceto be plowed and are particularly useful on gravel or during spring whenthe ground may not be fully frozen. The shoes are mounted to eachreversible wing 50 and 51 using the support shoe mounting hardware 160thereupon.

Each of the shoes 162 includes a post 680 which are received by thesupport shoe mounting hardware 160. The shoes 162 are adjusted using acombination of washers and tubular spacers, which are placed on theposts 680 either above or below the support shoe mounting hardware 160to adjust the height of the shoes 162. The position of the shoes 162relative to the reversible wings 50 and 51 (and the plow blade assembly46) may be adjusted to adjust the height of the reversible wings 50 and51 relative to the surface to be plowed. This allows the degree to whichthe wearstrip 148 scrapes the surface to be plowed to be controlled.Retaining pins 682 are used on the posts 680 to retain them in thesupport shoe mounting hardware 160. The support shoes 162, however, maybe removably attached to the support shoe mounting hardware 160 usingany means known to those skilled in the art that will permit easyreplacement of the support shoe if it becomes worn or damaged.

The shoes 162 are typically made of cast iron. It should be noted thatalthough the rear scraper 168 is not shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, it canoptionally be used with the shoes 162 in place, so long as the supportshoe mounting hardware 160 extends sufficiently back on the reversiblewings 50 and 51 to clear the rear scraper 168.

Referring next to FIGS. 32 through 33, in addition to FIGS. 6, 13, 15and 29 through 31, assembly of the tower 174 and intermediate section282 is illustrated. The pivot tube 332 of the intermediate section 282is inserted between the trip plates 252 and 254 of the tower 174, withthe pivot tube 332 being brought into alignment with the apertures 262and 269 of the trip plates 252 and 254 of the tower 174. An elongatedpivot member 686 is inserted sequentially through the aperture 267 inthe trip plate 252, the pivot tube 332 of the intermediate section 282and the aperture 269 in the trip plate 254, as best shown in FIG. 13.Each end of the elongated pivot member 686 can be secured in positionusing a locking pin 688, or other similar locking device. Optionally,washers may also be used. Accordingly, the pivot member 686 permits thetower 174 to pivot with respect to the intermediate section 282, as willbe discussed in more detail in regard to FIG. 35.

Referring next to FIGS. 34 and 35, in addition to FIGS. 32 and 33, theintermediate section 282 includes a cushion 690 that is positionedwithin and projects upwardly from the square aperture 296 on the topplate 292. The cushion 690 is provided to absorb the impact of the plowblade and tower 174 as it moves between its limits, i.e. when the snowplow blade trips during an encounter with an object. The cushion 690 maybe secured into place using the apertures 296 formed in the top plate292 and bolts (not shown). However, the cushion 690 may be removablysecured to the intermediate section 282 using silicone adhesive (or anysuitable type of adhesive) or by any mechanical means known to thoseskilled in the art. For example, an alternative retaining mechanismwould be to have the cushion 690 held in place with an interference fit.

The intermediate section 282 also includes a support shoe 692. The shoe692 will bear at least a portion of the overall weight of the snow plowframe and is designed to ride in sliding contact with the surface to beplowed. The shoe 692 is preferably constructed of cast iron. The shoe692 is mounted on a post 694 to secure the shoe 692 to the intermediatesection 282. The post 694 of the shoe 692 is inserted consecutivelythrough both the aperture 306 in the bottom plate 294 and through thecoaxial aperture 300 in the top plate 292 of the intermediate section282.

Like the shoes 162 on each reversible wing 50 and 51, the shoe 692 isadjusted using a combination of washers and tubular spacers, which areplaced on the post 694 either below or above the bottom plate 294 and/ortop plate 292 to adjust the height of the shoe 301. The position of theshoe 692 relative to the snow plow blade may be adjusted relative to thesurface to be plowed. The shoe 692 is secured in place using a retainingpin 696. Optionally, washers may also be inserted onto the post 694 toensure the shoe 692 is tightly secured in place. It will be readilyapparent to one skilled in the art that more than one shoe may belocated on the intermediate section 282 and such shoes may be located inany position in which it would be convenient to secure a support shoefor support of the snow plow blade. For example, support shoes may besecured to one or both of the first and second sides 308 and 310 of theintermediate section 282 for adding additional support to the snow plowblade assembly 46.

Trip springs 700 and 702 are connected at one end to the eyebolts 214 onthe tower 174 and to the tabs 316 and 326 on the intermediate section282, respectively. The trip springs 700 and 702 will be used to bias thetower 174 and the reversible wings 50 and 51 into a trip return positionand to resist movement of the tower 174 and the reversible wings 50 and51 into the tripped position. Thus, the intermediate section 282 ispivotally mounted onto the tower 174 such that the trip springs 700 and702 permit the tower 174 to move between a tipped forward position (asshown in FIG. 35) when an obstruction is encountered and a releaseposition (as shown in FIG. 34) when the obstruction is removed.

Accordingly, when the plow blade encounters and object, the trip springs700 and 702 permit the top 188 (see FIG. 6) of the tower 174, and thusthe reversible wings 50 and 51 of the snow plow blade assembly 46, totip forward to a maximum (or tripped) position where the fins 320 and330 on the intermediate section 282 contact the cushion block 226 on thetower 174, as illustrated in FIG. 35. Thus, the cushion block 226 notonly provides a limit for movement of the snow plow blade, the cushionalso absorbs the impact of the obstruction and abrupt movement of thesnow plow blade, shielding the snow plow and snow plow vehicle fromsignificant force.

As illustrated in FIG. 34, when the object no longer interferes with thesnow plow blade, the tower 174 tips back into the release position andmovement of the tower 174 is limited by the stop plate 280. The force ofthe retraction of the trip springs 700 and 702 on the snow plow and thesnow plow vehicle is dampened by the cushion 690 which absorbs theimpact of the movement of the tower 174 when the stop plate 280 makescontact with the cushion 690.

In the preferred embodiment, the cushions 226 and 690 are made ofpolyurethane, such as, for example, Quazi formulatedmethylenebisdiphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) polyester-based 93 durometer(Shore A scale) polyurethane, available commercially from Kryptonics,Inc. under the trademark Kaptane 93 black.

Referring next to FIGS. 36 and 37, in addition to FIGS. 12, 16 and 29through 31, assembly intermediate section 282 onto the main frame 344 isillustrated. The hollow tube 426 of the main frame 344 is insertedbetween the top and bottom plates 292 and 294 of the intermediatesection 282, with the hollow tube 426 being brought into alignment withthe apertures 312 and 322 in each of the first and second sides 308 and310, respectively, of the intermediate section 282. An elongated pivotmember 706 is inserted sequentially through the aperture 312 in theintermediate section 282, the hollow tube 426 of the main frame 344 andthe aperture 322 in the intermediate section 282. Each end of theelongated pivot member 706 can be secured in position using a lockingpin 708, or other similar locking device. Optionally, washers may alsobe used. Accordingly, the pivot member 706 permits intermediate section282 to pivot with respect to the main frame 344 to account for variationin height in the surface of the road and to permit some blade flowduring operation of the snow plow.

In addition, bolts 710 are provided in each of the apertures 406, 408,410, and 412 of the hinge brackets 402 and 404, respectively. The bolts708 are secured into place by nuts 414, 416, 418 and 420 secured ontothe apertures 406, 408, 410, and 412, respectively. The bolts 708 areadjustable to permit movement of the intermediate section 282 and act aslimits to such movement.

Referring back to FIGS. 30 and 31 for the moment, support towers 712 and714, respectively, are mounted on the light bar supports 446 and 448,respectively, of the lift bar 432, and a light support bar 716 ismounted on the top ends of the light support towers 712 and 714. Lights(not shown herein) would be mounted on the light support bar 716, in amanner well known to one skilled in the art.

Also not shown or discussed herein is the hydraulic system to operatethe snow plow, the construction and operation of which is also wellknown to those skilled in the art. The swing cylinders 670 and 672 areused to pivot reversible wings 50 and 51, respectively. The hydrauliccylinder 624 (shown in FIG. 26) is used to operate the stand 640 (alsoshown in FIG. 26) prior to the snow plow being mounted onto a truck, tofacilitate the mounting of the snow plow onto the truck (as will becomeapparent below in conjunction with the discussion of FIGS. 38 through42), and to raise and lower the plow main frame 344, the intermediatesection 282, the tower 174 and the reversible wings 50 and 51 after thesnow plow has been mounted onto the truck. Preferably, the hydraulicsystem for the snow plow may be mounted on the platform 396 on the mainframe 344, and if so mounted would have a hydraulic system cover mountedthereupon to protect it (not shown).

Turning next to FIGS. 38 through 42, and with reference to FIGS. 27 and28, the operation of the mounting system used to mount the snow plow onthe hitch frame nose piece 500 is shown. Referring first to FIGS. 27, 28and 38, in conjunction with FIGS. 16, 22, 23, and 26, the mechanism usedto connect the snow plow to the hitch frame nose piece 500 is shown. Inthe discussion herein, all references are to the left side of the snowplow and the hitch frame nose piece 500, but those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles thereof are equally applicable tothe right side of the snow plow and the hitch frame nose piece 500.

The snow plow is mounted onto the hitch frame nose piece 300 with theplow standing on the stand 640 (shown in FIG. 10). In this position, thepin 608 which extends laterally at the rear of the snow plow on the leftside will be at a height such than when the truck having the hitch framenose piece 500 mounted thereon moves forward, the pin 608 will fit intothe rectangular notches 520 and 522 at the front of the hitch brackets504 and 506, respectively. The pin 608 is brought fully into therectangular notches 520 and 522 by moving the truck forward. It will benoted that the flange at the front of the hitch bracket 528 as well asthe approximately seventy degree bend in the angled stock segment 450will assist in guiding the rear mounting support 438 and the angledstock segment 450 of the lift bar 432 into position intermediate thehitch bracket 504 and 506.

A this point, the hydraulic cylinder 624 (shown in FIG. 26) is actuatedto begin to retract it to raise the stand 640 (also shown in FIG. 10),causing the pin 608 to drop into the slots 528 and 530 in the hitchbrackets 504 and 506, respectively. By continuing to actuate thehydraulic cylinder 624 to retract it, the lift bar 432 is pivoted tobring the apertures 488 and 490 in the rear mounting support 438 and theangled stock segment 450, respectively, of the lift bar 432 intoalignment with the apertures 536 and 536 in the hitch brackets 504 and506, respectively, of the hitch frame nose piece 500. At this point, aretaining pin 730 having a handle 732 may be inserted sequentiallythrough the aperture 536 in the hitch bracket 504, the aperture 488 inthe rear mounting support 438, the aperture 490 in the angled stocksegment 450, and the aperture 538 in the hitch bracket 506. Theretaining pin 730 has an aperture 734 extending through near the distalend thereof, and a retaining spring pin 736 is used to retain theretaining pin 730 in place.

Turning next to FIGS. 39 through 42, and with reference to FIGS. 27, 28and 38, the installation of the snow plow onto the hitch frame nosepiece 500 mounted on a truck 800 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 42) isillustrated. In FIG. 39, the snow plow is shown in its stored position,supported on the stand 640. In this position, the hydraulic cylinder 624is in its fully extended position, and the rear end of the snow plow israised. In this position, the pin 610 (not shown in FIGS. 39 through 42)at the right rear of the snow plow will be received by the rectangularnotches 524 and 526 (not shown in FIGS. 39 through 42) at the front ofthe hitch brackets 508 and 510 (not shown in FIGS. 39 through 42),respectively, at the right side of the hitch frame nose piece 500.Similarly, the pin 608 at the left rear of the snow plow will bereceived by the rectangular notches 520 and 522 (not shown in FIGS. 39through 42) at the front of the hitch brackets 504 and 506 (not shown inFIGS. 39 through 42), respectively, at the left side of the hitch framenose piece 500. The truck 800 may be driven forward to fully engage thepins 608 and 610 with the hitch frame nose piece 300 as shown in FIG.39.

Next, as shown in FIG. 41, as the hydraulic cylinder 624 begins toretract, the main frame 344 will lower at the rear end thereof as thestand 640 begins to move upwardly relative to the main frame 344. Thiscauses the pin 610 (not shown in FIGS. 39 through 42) to drop into theslots 532 and 534 (not shown in FIG. 41) in the hitch brackets 508 and510 (not shown in FIG. 41), respectively, at the right side of the hitchframe nose piece 500. Similarly, the pin 608 drops into the slots 528and 530 (not shown in FIG. 41) in the hitch brackets 504 and 506 (notshown in FIG. 41), respectively, at the left side of the hitch framenose piece 500. This initial retraction of the hydraulic cylinder 624also causes the lift bar 432 to begin to rotate counterclockwise asviewed from the left side of the snow plow, as is evident from themovement of the right light support towers 712 and 714 and the lightsupport bar 716.

As shown in FIG. 42, as the hydraulic cylinder 624 continues to retract,the lift bar 432 rotates counterclockwise until the light support towers712 and 714 are oriented nearly vertically. As this further rotationoccurs, the pin 610 (not shown in FIG. 42) remains in the slots 532 and534 in the hitch brackets 508 and 510, respectively (none of which areshown in FIG. 42). Similarly, the pin 608 remains in the slots 528 and530 (not shown in FIG. 42) in the hitch brackets 504 and 506 (not shownin FIG. 42), respectively. On the right side of the lift bar 432 and thehitch frame nose piece 500 (best shown in FIGS. 22 and 23), theapertures 492 and 494 in the angled stock segment 452 and the rearmounting support 440, respectively, of the lift bar 432 move intoengagement with the apertures 540 and 542 in the hitch brackets 508 and510, respectively, of the hitch frame nose piece 500. Likewise, on theleft side of the lift bar 432 and the hitch frame nose piece 500(portions of which are also best shown in FIGS. 22 and 23,respectively), the apertures 488 and 490 in the rear mounting support438 and the angled stock segment 450, respectively, of the lift bar 432move into alignment with the apertures 536 and 538 in the hitch brackets504 and 506, respectively, of the hitch frame nose piece 500.

At this point, one of the retaining pins 730 is inserted sequentiallythrough the aperture 542 in the hitch bracket 510, the aperture 494 inthe rear mounting support 440, the aperture 492 in the angled stocksegment 452, and the aperture 540 in the hitch bracket 508 (all of whichare best shown in FIGS. 22 and 23). The other one of the retaining pins730 is inserted sequentially through the aperture 536 in the hitchbracket 504, the aperture 488 in the rear mounting support 438, theaperture 490 in the angled stock segment 450, and the aperture 538 inthe hitch bracket 506 (many of which are also best shown in FIGS. 22 and23). The retaining spring pins 736 are then inserted into the apertures734 near the distal ends of the retaining pins 730 to retain theretaining pins 730 in place. At this point, the stand 640 may also bemoved to a stowed position by disconnecting it from the lift link 590(by removal of the pin (not shown) and rotating it to the stowedposition as is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,688, which was incorporatedby reference above.

Turning next to FIGS. 43 a and 43 b, operation of the reversible wings50 and 51 of the present invention is shown. Accordingly, the swingcylinders 670 and 672 may be used to pivot the reversible wings 50 and51 into any position required by the snow plow operator.

It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment of the present invention that it teaches a snowplow having reversible wings wherein the snow plow wing frame may beused on either side of a hinged/articulated snow plow. Thus, thereversible wing of the present invention completely eliminates the needfor manufacture, assembly and purchase snow plow blade wingsspecifically designed for either the “left” or the “right” side of thehinged snow plow blade assembly. Accordingly, the reversible wing of thepresent invention is less expensive to manufacture than conventionalhinged snow plow wings.

The reversible wing of the present invention is of high strength, yet itis light of weight. Accordingly, the present invention provides alighter weight snow plow system in which the hydraulic system utilizedin positioning each reversible wing is configured in a manner thatincreases the force and stability of the snow plow blade when in contactwith heavy snow, and which requires a lighter hydraulic system. Thus,the snow plow wings, and hence, the snow plow blade can be of a lighterweight construction and yet can effectively remove snow. Such a lightsnow plow blade construction is light/easier to transport and causesless mechanical stress on the snow plow vehicle than other conventionalhinged snow plow blade configurations.

The snow plow having reversible wings of the present invention is of aconstruction which is both durable and long lasting, and which willrequire little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughoutits operating lifetime. The snow plow having reversible wings of thepresent invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance itsmarket appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the snow plowhaving reversible wings of the present invention are achieved withoutincurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

Although the foregoing description of the snow plow having reversiblewings of the present invention has been shown and described withreference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description and is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particularembodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes,modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as describedherein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of thepresent invention. The particular embodiments and applications werechosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principlesof the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one ofordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications,variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within thescope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims wheninterpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly,legally, and equitably entitled.

1. A snow plow wing for use in either the right or the left side wingposition of an articulated snow plow assembly, said wing comprising: aframe having front and rear sides, and top and bottom portionsincluding: (a) a first horizontal member having first and second endsand a plurality of apertures formed therein; (b) a second horizontalmember having first and second ends and a plurality of apertures formedtherein, wherein said apertures in said second horizontal member arearranged in a mirror image configuration to said apertures in said firsthorizontal member; (c) a first vertical member connecting said firsthorizontal member to said second horizontal member at said first endsthereof, respectively; and (d) a second vertical member connecting saidfirst horizontal member to said second horizontal member at said secondends thereof, respectively, said second vertical member including aconnecting member used to pivotally connect said second vertical memberto either right or the left side wing position of an articulated snowplow assembly; wherein said top and bottom portions of said frame arestructurally symmetrical about an axis extending from said firstvertical member to said second vertical member such that said can beused on either the right or the left side wing position of anarticulated snow plow assembly by inverting said top and bottom portionsof said frame.
 2. A snow plow wing as defined in claim 1, wherein saidfirst horizontal member is a U-shaped channel configured with the Ufacing upwardly, and wherein said second horizontal member is a U-shapedchannel configured with the U facing downwardly.
 3. A snow plow wing asdefined in claim 2, wherein said first horizontal member includes first,second, third and fourth sets of apertures formed therein and saidsecond horizontal member includes first, second, third and fourth setsof apertures formed therein, wherein said first, second, third andfourth sets of apertures formed in said second horizontal member arearranged in a mirror image configuration to said first, second, thirdand fourth sets of apertures in said first horizontal member.
 4. A snowplow wing as defined in claim 3, further comprising at least one shoesupport removably attached to said frame at said bottom portion thereofusing at least one of said first, second, third and fourth sets ofapertures formed in one of said first and second horizontal members. 5.A snow plow wing as defined in claim 3, further comprising mountinghardware removably attached to said rear side of said frame at saidbottom portion thereof using at least one of said first, second, thirdand fourth sets of apertures formed in one of said first and secondhorizontal members, said mounting hardware being used to attach amovement mechanism to said frame.
 6. A snow plow wing as defined inclaim 3, further comprising a rear scraper extending along one of saidfirst and said second horizontal members and removably attached to saidrear side of said frame at said bottom portion thereof using at leastone of said first, second, third and fourth sets of apertures formed inthe one of said first and second horizontal members.
 8. A snow plow wingas defined in claim 3, further comprising a wearstrip extending andremovably attached to said front side of said frame at said bottomportion thereof using at least one of said first, second, third andfourth sets of apertures formed in one of said first and secondhorizontal members.
 9. A snow plow wing as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first vertical member is an arcuate-shaped rib member extendingfrom said first end of said first horizontal member to said first end ofsaid second horizontal member.
 10. A snow plow wing as defined in claim1, wherein said second vertical member is a rectangular support memberhaving front and rear faces and opposing side edges and wherein saidconnecting members including a plurality of tubular hinge pieces securedto one of said side edges.
 11. A snow plow wing as defined in claim 1,further comprising a moldboard section secured to said front side ofsaid frame extending from said first horizontal member to said secondhorizontal member and from said first vertical member to said secondvertical member.
 12. A snow plow wing as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first and second horizontal members and said first and secondvertical members are all made of steel and are welded together to formsaid frame of said snow plow wing.
 13. A reversible wing for use in ahinged snow plow system comprising: a frame including a first U-shapedchannel member having first and second ends and front and rear portions,a second U-shaped channel member having first and second ends and frontand rear portions, an outside vertical support member extending fromsaid first end of said first U-shaped channel member to said first endof said second U-shaped channel member and an inside vertical supportmember extending from said second end of said first U-shaped channelmember to said second end of said second U-shaped channel member, saidinside vertical support member including a connection mechanism; whereinsaid frame is symmetrical about a horizontal axis extending from saidinner vertical member to said outer vertical member, said frame having afirst position wherein said first U-shaped channel member is configuredU-shape facing upwards and a second, mirror-image position wherein saidfirst U-shaped channel member is configured U-shape facing downwards.14. A reversible wing as defined in claim 13, wherein said firstU-shaped channel member includes first, second, third and fourth sets ofapertures formed therein and said second U-shaped channel memberincludes first, second, third and fourth sets of apertures formedtherein, wherein said first, second, third and fourth sets of aperturesformed in said second U-shaped channel member are arranged in a mirrorimage configuration to said first, second, third and fourth sets ofapertures in said first U-shaped channel member.
 15. A reversible wingas defined in claim 14, further comprising at least one shoe supportremovably attached to one of said first and said second U-shaped channelmembers at said rear portion thereof using one of said first, second,third and fourth sets of apertures formed therein.
 16. A reversible wingas defined in claim 14, further comprising mounting hardware removablyattached to one of said first and said second U-shaped channel membersat said rear portion thereof using one of said first, second, third andfourth sets of apertures formed therein, said mounting hardware beingused to attach a movement mechanism to the reversible wing.
 17. Areversible wing as defined in claim 14, further comprising a rearscraper extending along one of said first and second U-shaped channelmembers and removably attached to said rear portion of the one of saidfirst and said second U-shaped channel members using at least one ofsaid first, second, third and fourth sets of apertures formed therein.18. A reversible wing as defined in claim 16, further comprising awearstrip extending along one of said first and second U-shaped channelmembers and removably attached to said rear portion of the one of saidfirst and said second U-shaped channel members using at least one ofsaid first, second, third and fourth sets of apertures formed therein.19. A reversible wing as defined in claim 13, wherein said first andsecond U-shaped channel members and said outside and inside verticalmembers are all made of steel and are welded together to form said frameof said snow plow wing.
 20. A reversible wing as defined in claim 1,further comprising a moldboard section secured to said frame extendingfrom said front portion of said first U-shaped channel member to saidfront portion of said second U-shaped channel member and from saidoutside vertical member to said inside vertical member.
 21. A snow plowwing for use in either the right or the left side wing position of anarticulated snow plow assembly, said wing comprising: a generallyrectangular wing frame having top and bottom portions and left and rightvertical sides, said wing frame having a first horizontal member locatedat one of said top and said bottom portions and a second horizontalmember located at the other of said top and said bottom portions, saidframe having a first position wherein said first horizontal member islocated at said top portion thereof and a second position wherein saidsecond horizontal member is located at said top portion thereof; whereinsaid bottom portion of said frame is substantially a mirror image ofsaid top portion of said frame taken across a horizontal plane extendingfrom a midpoint of said left vertical side to a midpoint of said rightvertical side.
 22. A snow plow wing as defined in claim 21, wherein oneof said left and said right sides include a hinge connection forremovably attaching said wing to the right or the left side wingposition of the articulated snow plow assembly.
 23. A snow plow wing asdefined in claim 21, wherein said first horizontal member is a U-shapedchannel configured with the U facing upwardly when said frame is in saidfirst position, and wherein said second horizontal member is a U-shapedchannel configured with the U facing downwardly upwardly when said frameis in said first position.
 24. A snow plow wing as defined in claim 21,wherein said first horizontal member contains a first set of aperturesformed therein and said second horizontal member contains a first set ofapertures formed therein and wherein said frame further comprises a shoesupport removably attached one of said first and second horizontalmembers using said first set of apertures formed therein.
 25. A snowplow wing as defined in claim 21, wherein said first horizontal membercontains a second set of apertures formed therein and said secondhorizontal member contains a second set of apertures formed therein andwherein said frame further comprises mounting hardware removablyattached to one of said first and second horizontal members using saidfirst set of apertures formed therein, said mounting hardware being usedto attach a movement mechanism to said frame.
 26. A snow plow wing asdefined in claim 21, wherein said first horizontal member contains athird set of apertures formed therein and said second horizontal membercontains a third set of apertures formed therein and wherein said framefurther comprises a rear scraper extending removably attached to saidframe at said bottom portion thereof using said third set of aperturesin one of said first and second horizontal members.
 27. A snow plow wingas defined in claim 21, wherein said first horizontal member contains afourth set of apertures formed therein and said second horizontal membercontains a fourth set of apertures formed therein and wherein said framefurther comprises a wearstrip extending and removably attached to saidframe at said bottom portion thereof using said fourth set of aperturesformed in one of said first and second horizontal members.
 28. A snowplow wing as defined in claim 21, wherein said left vertical member isan arcuate-shaped rib member extending from said first horizontal memberto said second horizontal member.
 29. A snow plow wing as defined inclaim 28, wherein said right vertical member is a rectangular supportmember having front and rear faces and opposing side edges including aplurality of tubular hinge pieces secured to one of said side edges. 30.A snow plow wing as defined in claim 21, further comprising a moldboardsection secured to said frame extending from said first horizontalmember to said second horizontal member and from said right verticalmember to said left vertical member.
 31. A snow plow wing as defined inclaim 21, wherein said first and second horizontal members and said leftand right vertical members are all made of steel and are welded togetherto form said frame of said snow plow wing.
 32. In a snow plow assemblyhaving a snow plow frame for detachable installation at the front of avehicle, a blade mounting structure which is mounted onto the snow plowframe which supports a snow plow blade therefrom, said snow plow bladecomprising: a blade center component having first and second mountingsurfaces; and a first wing component having first and second horizontalmembers and opposing first and second vertical sides, said first wingcomponent being structurally symmetrical about an axis extending fromsubstantially a midpoint of said first vertical side to substantially amidpoint of said second vertical side allowing said first wing componentto be pivotally secured to either said first or said second mountingsurfaces of said blade center component at one of said first and saidsecond vertical sides thereof.
 33. A snow plow blade according to claim32, wherein said first wing component further comprises a moldboardsection extending from said first horizontal member to said secondhorizontal member and from said first vertical side to said secondvertical side.
 34. A snow plow blade according to claim 32, wherein saidfirst wing component further comprises mounting hardware for a shoesupport removably mounted to one of said first and said secondhorizontal members.
 35. A snow plow blade according to claim 32, whereinsaid first wing component further comprises mounting hardware for ahydraulic cylinder removably mounted to one of said first and saidsecond horizontal members.
 36. A snow plow blade according to claim 32,wherein said first wing component further comprises a wearstripremovably mounted to one of said first and said second horizontalmembers, said wearstrip used to remove snow from a ground level surface.37. A snow plow blade according to claim 32, wherein said first wingcomponent furthers comprises a rear scraper removably mounted to one ofsaid first and said second horizontal members, said wearstrip used toremove snow from a ground level surface.
 37. A snow plow blade accordingto claim 32, wherein one of said first and said vertical sides includesa plurality of hollow tubular members mounted thereto for pivotallysecuring said first wing component to said blade center component.
 38. Asnow plow blade according to claim 32, further comprising a second wingcomponent substantially identical to said first wing component, saidsecond wing component including first and second horizontal members andopposing first and second vertical sides, wherein said second wingcomponent is structurally symmetrical about an axis extending fromsubstantially a midpoint of said first vertical side to substantially amidpoint of said second vertical side allowing said second wingcomponent to be pivotally secured to either said first or said secondmounting surfaces of said blade center component at one of said firstand said second vertical sides thereof.
 39. A snow plow blade assemblycomprising: a blade center component having right and left mountingsides; a first reversible wing pivotally secured to said blade centercomponent at one of said right and said left sides thereof; and a secondreversible wing pivotally secured to said blade center component at theother of said right and said left sides thereof; wherein each of saidreversible wings includes a frame having a first horizontal member, asecond horizontal member, a first vertical member connecting said firsthorizontal member to said second horizontal at respective ends thereofand a second vertical member connecting said first horizontal member tosaid second horizontal member at opposite ends thereof, wherein saidframe is structurally symmetrical about an axis extending fromsubstantially a midpoint of said first vertical member to substantiallya midpoint of said second vertical member allowing each of said firstand second reversible wings to be pivotally secured to either of saidright and said left sides of said blade center component.
 40. A snowplow blade assembly as defined in claim 39, wherein said first and saidsecond horizontal members are U-shaped channels, said second horizontalmember being a mirror image of said first horizontal member in saidframe.
 41. A snow plow blade assembly as defined in claim 39, whereinsaid first horizontal member contains a first set of apertures formedtherein and said second horizontal member contains a first set ofapertures formed therein and wherein said frame further comprises a shoesupport removably attached one of said first and second horizontalmembers using said first set of apertures formed therein.
 42. A snowplow blade assembly as defined in claim 39, wherein said firsthorizontal member contains a second set of apertures formed therein andsaid second horizontal member contains a second set of apertures formedtherein and wherein said frame further comprises mounting hardwareremovably attached to one of said first and second horizontal membersusing said first set of apertures formed therein, said mounting hardwarebeing used to attach a movement mechanism to said frame.
 43. A snow plowblade assembly as defined in claim 39, wherein said first horizontalmember contains a third set of apertures formed therein and said secondhorizontal member contains a third set of apertures formed therein andwherein said frame further comprises a rear scraper extending removablyattached to said frame at said bottom portion thereof using said thirdset of apertures in one of said first and second horizontal members. 44.A snow plow blade assembly as defined in claim 39, wherein said firsthorizontal member contains a fourth set of apertures formed therein andsaid second horizontal member contains a fourth set of apertures formedtherein and wherein said frame further comprises a wearstrip extendingand removably attached to said frame at said bottom portion thereofusing said fourth set of apertures formed in one of said first andsecond horizontal members.
 45. A snow plow blade assembly as defined inclaim 39, wherein said first and said second wing reversible wingsfurther comprise a moldboard secured to each of said framesrespectively.
 46. A snow plow blade for use in a hinged snow plow systemhaving right and left side snow plow blade components, said snow plowblade comprising: a center section having first and second mountingsurfaces; and first and second blade wings, each of said wings includinga frame having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein said topportion of said frame is structurally a mirror image of said bottomportion of said frame; said first blade wing pivotally attached to saidcenter section at either of said first and second mounting surfaces andsaid second blade wing pivotally attached to said center section at theother of said first and second mounting surfaces.
 47. A method forconstructing a reversible wing assembly for use on either the left orthe right side of a hinged snow plow blade assembly, said methodcomprising: providing a first horizontal member having first and secondends and a plurality of apertures formed therein; providing a secondhorizontal member having first and second ends and a plurality ofapertures formed therein wherein said second horizontal member is amirror image of said first horizontal member with each of said apertureson said second horizontal member being in mirror image symmetry withsaid apertures on said first horizontal member; connecting said firstend of said first horizontal member to first end of said secondhorizontal member using a first vertical member; and connecting saidsecond end of said first horizontal member to second end of said secondhorizontal member using a second vertical member, wherein saidreversible wing is structurally symmetrical about an axis extending fromsubstantially a midpoint of said first vertical member to a midpoint ofsaid second vertical member.
 48. A method for constructing a hinged snowplow blade assembly comprising: providing a blade center section havingfirst and second mounting surfaces; providing first and secondreversible wing components, each of said wing components having firstand second horizontal members and first and second vertical sides, eachof said wings being structurally symmetrical about an axis extendingfrom substantially a midpoint of said first vertical side to a midpointof said second vertical side; providing each of said second verticalsides of said first and second wing components with a hinge connectionmechanism; pivotally attaching said first wing component at said secondvertical side to said first mounting surface of said blade centercomponent using said hinge connection mechanism; and pivotally attachingsaid second wing component at said second vertical side to said secondmounting surface of said blade center component using said hingeconnection mechanism.